Product stewardship considerations for solar photovoltaic panels

Peter Majewski; Rong Deng; Pablo R Dias; Megan Jones; Peter Majewski; Rong Deng; Pablo R Dias; Megan Jones

doi:10.3934/energy.2023008

AIMS Energy

2023, Volume 11, Issue 1: 140-155. doi: 10.3934/energy.2023008

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Product stewardship considerations for solar photovoltaic panels

1.
University of South Australia, Future Industries Institute, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
2.
School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
3.
Solarcycle Inc., USA
4.
Megan Jones, Circular PV Alliance, Australia

Received: 26 September 2022 Revised: 24 January 2023 Accepted: 13 February 2023 Published: 21 February 2023

While the uptake of solar photovoltaic panels for the generation of clean energy has almost exponentially increased over the past about 10 years, effective end-of-life management legislation is still lacking in many nations. Organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency have clearly outlined the need and benefit of robust end-of-life management legislations, such as a product stewardship scheme or extended producer responsibility, to avoid a looming significant waste legacy. This article explores a possible design of an end-of-life legislation for solar photovoltaic panels including new and existing panels, necessary legislation for a second-hand economy for solar photovoltaic panels, and options for necessary levies to support an emerging recycling industry for solar panels. The article also tries to make recommendations for a product stewardship scheme for solar photovoltaic panels and its financial support.
- product stewardship,
- extended producer responsibility,
- solar photovoltaic panels,
- waste management,
- end-of-life management
Citation: Peter Majewski, Rong Deng, Pablo R Dias, Megan Jones. Product stewardship considerations for solar photovoltaic panels[J]. AIMS Energy, 2023, 11(1): 140-155. doi: 10.3934/energy.2023008

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Abstract

While the uptake of solar photovoltaic panels for the generation of clean energy has almost exponentially increased over the past about 10 years, effective end-of-life management legislation is still lacking in many nations. Organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency have clearly outlined the need and benefit of robust end-of-life management legislations, such as a product stewardship scheme or extended producer responsibility, to avoid a looming significant waste legacy. This article explores a possible design of an end-of-life legislation for solar photovoltaic panels including new and existing panels, necessary legislation for a second-hand economy for solar photovoltaic panels, and options for necessary levies to support an emerging recycling industry for solar panels. The article also tries to make recommendations for a product stewardship scheme for solar photovoltaic panels and its financial support.

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