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Role of the social factors in success of solar photovoltaic reuse and recycle programmes

Author

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  • Julien Walzberg

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Alberta Carpenter

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Garvin A. Heath

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory
    Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis)

Abstract

By 2050, the cumulative mass of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules may reach 80 Mt globally. The impacts could be mitigated by module recycling, repair and reuse; however, previous studies of PV circularity omit the consideration of critical social factors. Here we used an agent-based model to integrate social aspects with techno-economic factors, which provides a more realistic assessment of the circularity potential for previously studied interventions that assesses additional interventions that cannot be analysed using techno-economic analysis alone. We also performed a global sensitivity analysis using a machine-learning metamodel. We show that to exclude social factors underestimates the effect of lower recycling prices on PV material circularity, which highlights the relevance of considering social factors in future studies. Interventions aimed at changing customer attitudes about used PV boost the reuse of modules, although used modules can only satisfy one-third of the US demand during 2020–2050, which suggests that reuse should be complemented by recycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Julien Walzberg & Alberta Carpenter & Garvin A. Heath, 2021. "Role of the social factors in success of solar photovoltaic reuse and recycle programmes," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 913-924, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:6:y:2021:i:9:d:10.1038_s41560-021-00888-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00888-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Weng-Hooi Tan & Junita Mohamad-Saleh, 2023. "Critical Review on Interrelationship of Electro-Devices in PV Solar Systems with Their Evolution and Future Prospects for MPPT Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-37, January.
    2. Rao Fu & Kun Peng & Peng Wang & Honglin Zhong & Bin Chen & Pengfei Zhang & Yiyi Zhang & Dongyang Chen & Xi Liu & Kuishuang Feng & Jiashuo Li, 2023. "Tracing metal footprints via global renewable power value chains," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Hancong Ma & Mei Li & Xin Tong & Ping Dong, 2023. "Community-Level Household Waste Disposal Behavior Simulation and Visualization under Multiple Incentive Policies—An Agent-Based Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Chen, Zhiyuan & Wang, Feng & Wang, Tieli & He, Rulin & Hu, Jieli & Li, Li & Luo, Ying & Qin, Yingling & Wang, Dingliang, 2024. "A real options approach to renewable energy module end-of-life decisions under multiple uncertainties: Application to PV and wind in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    5. Koo Lee & Sung Bae Cho & Junsin Yi & Hyo Sik Chang, 2022. "Simplified Recovery Process for Resistive Solder Bond (RSB) Hotspots Caused by Poor Soldering of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Using Resin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Cuppari, Rosa Isabella & Branscomb, Allan & Graham, Maggie & Negash, Fikeremariam & Smith, Angelique Kidd & Proctor, Kyle & Rupp, David & Tilahun Ayalew, Abiyou & Getaneh Tilaye, Gizaw & Higgins, Chad, 2024. "Agrivoltaics: Synergies and trade-offs in achieving the sustainable development goals at the global and local scale," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    7. Julien Walzberg & Jean‐Marc Frayret & Annika L. Eberle & Alberta Carpenter & Garvin Heath, 2023. "Agent‐based modeling and simulation for the circular economy: Lessons learned and path forward," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(5), pages 1227-1238, October.
    8. Aşkın, Asmin & Kılkış, Şiir & Akınoğlu, Bülent Gültekin, 2023. "Recycling photovoltaic modules within a circular economy approach and a snapshot for Türkiye," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 583-596.
    9. Eva Segura & Lidia M. Belmonte & Rafael Morales & José A. Somolinos, 2023. "A Strategic Analysis of Photovoltaic Energy Projects: The Case Study of Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-37, August.

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