System-Level Design of Photovoltaic Recycling Infrastructure: A Review of Mechanical, Thermal, Chemical, and Laser-Based Technologies

This review paper presents a system-level engineering design perspective on end-of-life (EoL) photovoltaic (PV) recycling, addressing a critical gap in the literature that is predominantly focused on material and process-level analyses. A unified framework is developed to evaluate mechanical, thermal, chemical, and emerging laser-based technologies through the lenses of system architecture, process control, and infrastructure integration. The study introduces design-oriented concepts, including optimal processing windows, modular system configurations, and multi-layer control frameworks, to support decision-making in scalable PV recycling systems. Particular emphasis is placed on laser-based recycling (e.g., femtosecond laser technology), which enables non-thermal, high-precision, and interface-selective material separation, representing a paradigm shift towards intelligent and adaptive recycling infrastructures. The paper also highlights the transition from conventional bulk PV processing to precision-controlled, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems, and outlines future research and industrial pathways required to realize sustainable, high-efficiency PV recycling within a circular economy.