TY - JOUR

T1 - Improving the end-of-life management of solar panels in Germany

AU - El-Khawad, Livia

AU - Bartkowiak, Dorota

AU - Kümmerer, Klaus

N1 - Publisher Copyright:© 2022 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2022/10/1

Y1 - 2022/10/1

N2 - Fulfilling the SDGs and reaching the climate neutrality target of the EU Green Deal will require a global effort, for which solar energy is indispensable. From 2030 the global number of decommissioned and thus waste solar panels will increase exponentially. This review article specifies the barriers and solutions to creating a closed loop system (CLS) in the crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics industry in Germany. The conclusions drawn are however relevant for all countries using solar panels, as they will face similar challenges. Specific recommendations are outlined based on identified challenges that will help ensure a CLS for c-Si solar panels. Regarding regulation it is recommended that recycling targets for solar panels should be adjusted so that they are not linked to weight, as this does not encourage the recovery of all materials. It is also crucial that the design of the solar panels is adjusted to ensure that repair, refurbishment and at a later stage recycling are possible. Since the economic feasibility is not given at a small scale it is suggested for companies to join larger recycling schemes. Collaboration and exchange along the supply and value chain is also identified as essential to ensure the development of solutions that will truly enable the creation of a CLS. Product as a service should also be explored by solar panel companies as this would encourage the production of panels that can be easily repaired and later recycled.

AB - Fulfilling the SDGs and reaching the climate neutrality target of the EU Green Deal will require a global effort, for which solar energy is indispensable. From 2030 the global number of decommissioned and thus waste solar panels will increase exponentially. This review article specifies the barriers and solutions to creating a closed loop system (CLS) in the crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics industry in Germany. The conclusions drawn are however relevant for all countries using solar panels, as they will face similar challenges. Specific recommendations are outlined based on identified challenges that will help ensure a CLS for c-Si solar panels. Regarding regulation it is recommended that recycling targets for solar panels should be adjusted so that they are not linked to weight, as this does not encourage the recovery of all materials. It is also crucial that the design of the solar panels is adjusted to ensure that repair, refurbishment and at a later stage recycling are possible. Since the economic feasibility is not given at a small scale it is suggested for companies to join larger recycling schemes. Collaboration and exchange along the supply and value chain is also identified as essential to ensure the development of solutions that will truly enable the creation of a CLS. Product as a service should also be explored by solar panel companies as this would encourage the production of panels that can be easily repaired and later recycled.

KW - Acceptance

KW - Circular economy

KW - Closing the loop

KW - Design for circularity

KW - End-of-Life

KW - Photovoltaic

KW - Recycling

KW - Silicon solar panel

KW - Sustainability

KW - Systems thinking

KW - Chemistry

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85133910890&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/975f0089-0a9e-38b6-84cd-5832f5e7539e/

U2 - 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112678

DO - 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112678

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85133910890

VL - 168

JO - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

JF - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

SN - 1364-0321

M1 - 112678

ER -