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Prof. Guo Meiyu’s Team Publishes Joule Perspective on Circular Recycling Pathways for Next-Generation Solar Cells
Dec 2025
The Department of Geography at Hong Kong Baptist University is proud to announce the recent publication of a perspective article in Joule (Impact Factor: 41.25) by Professor Guo Meiyu and collaborators, highlighting circular recycling strategies for next-generation perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This work reflects the department’s commitment to sustainable energy research and its strong interdisciplinary focus.
The perspective, “Recycling of Perovskite Solar Cells,” provides a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental analysis of closed-loop recycling pathways for PSCs—a technology with immense promise for improving solar energy efficiency and sustainability. Professor Guo’s team demonstrates how the unique architecture and materials of PSCs enable selective disassembly and high-value materials recovery with minimal energy input. Techno-economic modelling indicates that comprehensive material recovery can reduce module costs by up to 60% and electricity prices to below US$0.04/kWh, with multi-cycle recycling outperforming traditional landfill disposal.
The study also assesses life-cycle impacts, showing that circular recovery significantly shortens energy payback times and lowers carbon emissions compared to established silicon or CdTe photovoltaics. The authors propose scalable protocols for recycling perovskite-based devices and integrating safe lead capture, laying a foundation for practical and responsible deployment at gigawatt-scale.
This publication continues Professor Guo’s longstanding research into the energy-environment-policy nexus, emphasizing China’s pathway to carbon neutrality. For more details on ongoing initiatives in sustainable energy transitions and environmental governance at HKBU Geography, please visit www.meiyuguo.com.