A Critical Review of the Circular Economy for Photovoltaic Modules: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities
Recent research projects up to nearly 1.6 TW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the United States by 2050. With such massive scales of deployment, questions have arisen regarding issues of material supply, end of life management, environmental and societal impacts, and economic costs. A set of solutions to address these issues center on the development of a circular economy – shifting from a take-use-waste linear economic model to one that retains the value of materials and products as long as possible, recovering materials at end of life to recirculate back into the economy. With limited global experience, researchers have begun to investigate circular economy pathways and are especially interested in applying novel technologies and analytical methods to fast growing sectors like renewable energy. This critical review aims to synthesize this growing literature to identify key insights, gaps and opportunities for research and implementation of a circular economy solar PV. We employ the PRISMA systematic literature review procedures to comprehensively review nearly 1,800 journal articles and government reports, categorizing those that pass a series of objectives screens in ways that can illuminate the current state-of-the-art, highlight existing impediments to a circular economy and recommend future technological and analytical research. Commentary and Q&A will address recent developments.
Bio: Garvin Heath is a distinguished member of the research staff at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For over 20 years he has worked to characterize and quantify sustainability of energy technologies, with particular focus on PV. For a decade he has led the International Energy Agency’s PV Power Systems Task 12: Sustainability. From PV-specific life cycle assessment and net energy analysis methodological guidelines to global reviews of technologies and policies for recycling PV modules, Task 12 is a thought leader in global PV sustainability and circular economy. Heath is trained as an interdisciplinary scientist and engineer starting with a B.S. in environmental science from Brown University, an M.S. in environmental (air quality) engineering, and an M.S and Ph.D. in energy and resources from the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley.