|
|
|
01 Introduction
The 2025 Annual Report tells the story of a year of concrete initiatives, during which PV CYCLE ITALIA expanded its commitment on several fronts: from raising public awareness to regulatory developments, from territorial presence to supply-chain traceability.
One of the most significant initiatives of 2025 was the SIAMOTUTTIRAEE.IT campaign, carried out pursuant to Article 10, paragraph 10.2 of Legislative Decree 49/2014, with the aim of bringing citizens closer to the proper end-of-life management of electrical and electronic equipment. We invite everyone to learn more at www.siamotuttiraee.it
On the regulatory front, Legislative Decree No. 2 of 7 January 2026 introduced significant updates to Legislative Decree 49/2014, redefining the notion of “historical WEEE,” clarifying financing responsibilities for photovoltaic panels, and updating marking requirements. PV CYCLE ITALIA provided its members with the support needed to ensure timely compliance.
2025 was also a year of active presence: together with our parent organization PV CYCLE AISBL, we participated in the main international trade fairs and, for the first time, with a dedicated stand at KEY ENERGY in Rimini, Italy. We also strengthened our collaboration with the Energy & Strategy Observatory of the Politecnico di Milano on Renewable Energy and the Circular Economy.
Regarding labelling, PV CYCLE ITALIA prepared an operational document on the labelling obligations for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), reaffirming that membership in a collective scheme does not exempt producers from their individual obligations regarding proper marking. In addition, a new environmental reporting platform is currently under development to provide all stakeholders in the supply chain with increasingly clear and reliable communications.
EEE labelling and producer identification (Legislative Decree 49/2014)
We thank our members, partners, and stakeholders: it is thanks to their trust and daily collaboration that PV CYCLE ITALIA continues to grow, panel by panel, year after year.
Rosa Narcisi – Country Manager Italia
|
|
|
02Photovoltaic panels placed on the Italian market in 2025
In 2025, companies affiliated with PV CYCLE ITALIA reported the placement on the market of nearly 5 million photovoltaic panels. This figure reflects a decline compared with the peak of 6 million recorded in 2023, in line with the overall trend of the Italian photovoltaic market. However, looking at the progress made over recent years, the overall picture remains encouraging: from fewer than half a million panels in 2016 to figures that have consistently remained at very high levels, demonstrating the maturity reached by the sector and the growing awareness among companies of their environmental obligations.
In this context, Extended Producer Responsibility continues to play a key role, ensuring that every panel placed on the market is accompanied by a concrete commitment to its proper end-of-life management.
PV CYCLE ITALIA supports companies along this path by promoting transparency, traceability, and sustainability throughout the entire supply chain.
The year 2025 ended with an increase in the number of member companies, including not only primary photovoltaic panel manufacturers, but also distributors, installers, and importers of other EEE (electrical and electronic equipment). This result confirms the Consortium’s ability to adapt effectively to the evolution of an increasingly competitive market, offering favourable conditions and supporting companies with a long-term vision.
|
|
|
03Photovoltaic panels and WEEE collected and managed
In 2025, PV CYCLE ITALIA collected 5,273 tonnes of end-of-life photovoltaic panels and 7,004 tonnes of household WEEE. A further 38 tonnes of other professional WEEE were also managed.
The total amount of waste managed during 2025 reached 12,315 tonnes.
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the quantities collected, classified by photovoltaic panel technology and WEEE category.
| Type of photovoltaic panel | Tonnes managed by PV CYCLE ITALIA in 2025 | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Crystalline silicon (mono and polycrystalline) | 5.189,31 | 98.41 % |
| CIS/CIGS thin-film | 47,43 | 0.90 % |
| Amorphous silicon | 32,00 | 0.61 % |
| CdTe | 4,22 | 0.08 % |
| Total | 5.272,96 | 100 % |
| WEEE group | Tonnes managed by PV CYCLE ITALIA in 2025 | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| R1: Refrigeration appliances | 78,67 | 1.12 % |
| R2: Large household appliances | 228,96 | 3.27 % |
| R3: TVs, monitors and screens | 7,19 | 0.10 % |
| R4: Small appliances and consumer electronics | 6.688,46 | 95.50 % |
| R5: Light sources | 0,51 | 0.01 % |
| Total | 7.003,79 | 100 % |
| Type of other professional WEEE | Tonnes managed by PV CYCLE ITALIA in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Accessori – Wallbox – Storage | 4,84 |
| Air conditioners | 0,08 |
| IMO devices | 5,16 |
| Inverters – String combiner boxes | 26,11 |
| Monitoraggio – Smart devices | 0,36 |
| Heat pumps | 1,5 |
| Cables | 0,08 |
| Total | 38,13 |
|
|
|
04Sustainability: from recycling to measurable impact
Sustainability is at the core of PV CYCLE ITALIA’s mission. Through the proper collection and recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic panels and household WEEE, we enable the recovery of valuable materials, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact.
In 2025, PV CYCLE further strengthened its sustainability approach with the creation of two dedicated roles: a Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs Manager and a Circularity Manager. These positions support greater integration of ESG topics, in response to evolving regulatory requirements and the reinforcement of circular economy practices.
A materiality assessment was also conducted to identify the most relevant topics for the organisation. Circularity and climate change emerged as the top priorities, followed by business ethics, data protection, health and safety, supply chain management, and innovation.
|
|
|
05Circularity
For PV CYCLE ITALIA, circularity represents the core of its mission. The collection of end-of-life photovoltaic panels and WEEE, together with material recovery activities, constitutes the organisation’s core business and the main driver of its environmental impact.
The data collection campaign made it possible to calculate recycling and recovery rates for crystalline silicon (c-Si) panels. In 2025, a recycling rate of 86.6% and a recovery rate of 100% were achieved, confirming the reuse of materials as secondary raw materials or through other recovery pathways. For household WEEE, comparable rates are not reported due to the heterogeneity of waste streams and treatment processes.
|
|
|
06Climate Change: greenhouse gas emissions
Given the nature of PV CYCLE ITALIA’s activities, climate performance is monitored through Scope 3 emissions, generated by transport activities and contracted treatment and recycling operators. The system boundary covers the entire value chain, from the collection point to the first treatment facility, including recycling processes.
Photovoltaic panels
For crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, which represent the vast majority of managed volumes, transport operations to the first treatment facilities generated 117.3 t CO₂e in 2025 (0.023 t CO₂e per tonne transported), while treatment activities at these facilities generated 105.5 t CO₂e (0.022 t CO₂e per tonne treated). Overall, operations on crystalline silicon PV panels resulted in total Scope 3 emissions of 222.8 t CO₂e.
Household WEEE
For household WEEE, emissions are reported separately by category, reflecting the different treatment processes involved.
| WEEE group | t CO₂e/t CO₂e transported and treated | t CO₂e (absolute) |
|---|---|---|
| R1: Refrigeration appliances | 0,937 | 73,71 |
| R2: Large household appliances | 0,549 | 125,70 |
| R3: TVs, monitors and screens | 0,898 | 6,46 |
| R4: Small appliances and consumer electronics | 1,051 | 7.029,57 |
| R5: Light sources | 0,764 | 0,39 |
Total Scope 3 emissions across PV panels and all WEEE categories amounted to 7235.83 t CO₂e in 2025.
|
|
|
07Life Cycle Assessment confirms net environmental benefits
PV CYCLE ITALIA conducted an internal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the end-of-life phase of crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels and the managed categories of household WEEE. The analysis quantifies the environmental impacts associated with collection, transport, and treatment activities, as well as the environmental benefits derived from material recovery, calculated using the avoided burden approach.
Photovoltaic panels
The results of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) demonstrate that the end-of-life treatment chain for crystalline silicon photovoltaic (c-Si) panels generates net environmental benefits across all 16 impact categories defined by the EF 3.1 methodology.
Through the management of 5,189.31 tonnes of crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, PV CYCLE ITALIA achieved an avoided climate benefit of 7,507.178 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
This reduction corresponds to the annual emissions of 1,064 medium-sized Euro 5 gasoline passenger cars, each travelling approximately 30,000 km per year.
The impact assessment, which considers both direct and indirect energy consumption associated with end-of-life management activities for crystalline silicon PV panels, shows energy savings of 106,245.212 GJ thanks to material and energy recovery processes.
In terms of mineral and metal resource conservation, PV CYCLE ITALIA achieved total annual savings of 227.121 kg of antimony equivalent (Sb eq.) through the recycling of crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels.
| Recovered fractions of cSi panels | |
|---|---|
| Glass | 69,2% |
| Aluminium | 14,2% |
| Copper | 16,2% |
| Plastic | 0,4% |
Household WEEE
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of end-of-life household WEEE confirms that, through the management of 7,003.8 tonnes of household WEEE, PV CYCLE ITALIA achieved an avoided climate impact of 4,085.89 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
The material and energy recovery processes generated annual savings of 67,856.19 GJ of fossil energy and preserved 639.65 kg of mineral and metal resources, expressed as antimony equivalent (Sb eq.).
| WEEE group | Kg managed by PV CYCLE Italy in 2025 | % of total | Kg CO2eq saved by recycling | GJ energy saved by recycling | Kg of Sb eq saved by recycling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 78672 | 1.12 % | 83172.69 | 744 | 3.75 |
| R2 | 228958 | 3.27 % | 217410.46 | 1960 | 8.77 |
| R3 | 7192 | 0.10 % | 1426.81 | 47 | 0.41 |
| R4 | 6688463 | 95.50 % | 3783,761.86 | 65103 | 626 |
| R5 | 511 | 0.01 % | 121.19 | 1.11 | 0.01 |
| Total | 7003796 | 100 % | 4,085,893.01 | 67,856.19 | 639.65 |
Climate change impacts from household WEEE end-of-life treatment (per kg waste)
|
|
|
08Conclusion
The year 2025 marked a period of consolidation and growth for PV CYCLE ITALIA, reaffirming the Consortium’s role as a leading organization in the sustainable management of photovoltaic panels and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Its commitment to collection, treatment, and material recovery continues to deliver tangible results, contributing to the development of a more circular economy and reducing environmental impacts.
During the year, a total of 12,315 tonnes of waste was managed, including 5,273 tonnes of end-of-life photovoltaic panels, 7,004 tonnes of household WEEE, and 38 tonnes of other professional WEEE. For crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, a recycling rate of 86.6% and a recovery rate of 100% were achieved, confirming the effectiveness of the recycling chain in maximizing the value of recovered materials.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results also highlighted the environmental benefits generated by PV CYCLE ITALIA’s activities. The recycling of crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels avoided 7,507.18 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions, saved 106,245.21 GJ of energy, and preserved 227.12 kg of mineral and metal resources, expressed as antimony equivalent (Sb eq.). Likewise, the management of household WEEE avoided 4,085.89 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions, while generating savings of 67,856.19 GJ of fossil energy and 639.65 kg Sb eq. of mineral and metal resources.
These results demonstrate that effective end-of-life management is not only a regulatory obligation but also a concrete opportunity to create environmental value and promote the recovery of valuable resources.
Looking ahead, PV CYCLE ITALIA will continue to invest in innovation, transparency, and support for its members and stakeholders, further strengthening its commitment to an increasingly effective circular economy model and contributing to the transition towards a more sustainable energy and production system.