Researchers from AcSIR, CSIR-NPL, and the University of Delhi in India have developed a wet chemical process to recycle silicon from end-of-life PV panels. The recovered silicon, with a purity level exceeding 99.9%, has been converted into functionalized silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (HSNPs). These nanoparticles have been characterized for their structural, optical, and spectroscopic properties, with HSNPs demonstrating a water contact angle of 102.48°. The HSNPs have also exhibited 99.5% efficiency in anticorrosion coatings, significantly reducing corrosion rates. This circular economy-driven method is anticipated to address the growing global challenge of solar panel waste management by providing a sustainable and efficient solution. The findings have been published under Resources, Conservation and Recycling in Science Direct.