The adoption of clean energy, particularly solar energy, serves as a critical measure forachieving the dual-carbon goals. By the end of 2023, China′s cumulative installed solar capacity hadreached 609 GW, with projections indicating a rise to approximately 5 000 GW by 2050. Consequently,the volume of decommissioned solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is expected to surge from 26 000 tonsto over 15 million tons by 2050. The recycling and disposal of these modules is a pivotal challenge forsustainable development in the solar energy industry. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis andEnergy Environmental Protectioncomparative assessment based on literature reviews and experimental research, addressing thetechnological advancements and industrial expansion of solar PV systems, the generation characteristicsof end-of-life PV modules, and recycling and processing technologies. The scope encompassestraditional crystalline silicon PV modules and emerging thin-film solar modules, particularly thosedominated by perovskite-based technologies. This paper systematically reviews the recycling, disposal,and future prospects of PV modules. Among existing technologies, crystalline silicon solar cells are themost extensively researched and widely deployed, followed by thin-film solar cells, which have arelatively smaller market share. Meanwhile, emerging solar cell technologies, characterized by lowermaterial costs and energy demands, have made significant progress in recent years. Furthermore, thestudy investigates control strategies for characteristic pollutants and critical elements in various wastePV modules, and proposes developmental directions for recycling technologies and pollution controlmethodologies for end-of-life PV modules. Findings reveal that PV module waste continues to bemanaged as conventional solid waste, despite its complex material composition and multi-componentnature. These modules possess significant resource recovery potential, but their recycling processes facechallenges such as high costs and low utilization rates. To achieve high-value recycling, appropriatepre-treatment of decommissioned PV modules is crucial. For instance, hierarchical processing methodsfacilitate effective separation, enabling the recovery of high-value materials. Although researchers havedeveloped relevant recycling technologies and pollution control approaches, industry-specific standardsand supportive policies are essential for large-scale implementation. Future efforts should focus onimproving the efficiency and applicability of recycling and disposal methods to accommodate diversePV module types. Stronger policy incentives are also essential. This research provides critical insightsfor advancing studies on the future development of the photovoltaic industry. It also addresses industrialscale recycling technologies for end-of-life PV modules. Moreover, it provides a foundationalframework for the integrated management of solid waste generated by new energy systems. Theoutcomes underscore the necessity for systematic innovations in recycling infrastructure, economicincentive mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks to address the impending surge in PV module wastewhile maximizing resource recovery efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts across theproduct lifecycle.