Multi-levels of photovoltaic waste management: A holistic framework

Mahmoudi, S; Huda, N; Behnia, M

Multi-levels of photovoltaic waste management: A holistic framework

Mahmoudi, S Huda, N Behnia, M

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 294, pp. 1-16
Issue Date:: 2021-04-20

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mahmoudi, S
dc.contributor.author	Huda, N
dc.contributor.author	Behnia, M
dc.date.accessioned	2022-05-12T06:02:50Z
dc.date.available	2022-05-12T06:02:50Z
dc.date.issued	2021-04-20
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 294, pp. 1-16
dc.identifier.issn	0959-6526
dc.identifier.issn	0959-6526
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/157289
dc.description.abstract	With the unprecedented global growth of Photovoltaic (PV) panels installation at the annual growth rate of 25–30%, their appropriate End-of-Life (EoL) management gets into focus. The major gap is currently a strategic pathway that facilitates internationally closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) leading to a circular economy from the management point of views. This paper introduces a universal framework for sustainable management of about 5000 GW PV products by 2050 and illuminates the different boundaries and elements that influence the circular economy. There is a minimum of 24 types of substances embedded in PV waste flow which are classified into 6 categories. The research findings estimate 60–80 million tons (MT) of PV waste by 2050 which entails proactive strategy for EoL treatment. Latest update of WEEE Directive in 2019 enforces 85% recovery and 80% preparation for recycling of PV panels. If an environmentally friendly treatment pathway could be achieved and the recovery rate and purity level meet the market demand, there is strong potential for a circular economy, but it needs proper marginalization at the management levels. This study indicated that the PV panels’ sustainability should be broken down into three principal levels comprising product and component (Macroscopic), material (Mesoscopic), substances (Microscopic). In each level, the associated parties were introduced, and critical elements were discussed. The parties at the macroscopic level mostly consider the projection of the waste, awareness, and marketing of the recovered materials. While the environmental impacts, treatment pathway and its standard are covered by the associated parties at the mesoscopic level. The micro-management more concerns the monitoring of the purity level and transparent movement of the recovered materials and substances into the new industry and new market and highlights further consideration on the regulation at the international and national levels in this case.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Cleaner Production
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126252
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0907 Environmental Engineering, 0910 Manufacturing Engineering, 0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences
dc.title	Multi-levels of photovoltaic waste management: A holistic framework
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	294
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
utslib.for	0910 Manufacturing Engineering
utslib.for	0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-05-12T06:02:47Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	294

Abstract:

With the unprecedented global growth of Photovoltaic (PV) panels installation at the annual growth rate of 25–30%, their appropriate End-of-Life (EoL) management gets into focus. The major gap is currently a strategic pathway that facilitates internationally closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) leading to a circular economy from the management point of views. This paper introduces a universal framework for sustainable management of about 5000 GW PV products by 2050 and illuminates the different boundaries and elements that influence the circular economy. There is a minimum of 24 types of substances embedded in PV waste flow which are classified into 6 categories. The research findings estimate 60–80 million tons (MT) of PV waste by 2050 which entails proactive strategy for EoL treatment. Latest update of WEEE Directive in 2019 enforces 85% recovery and 80% preparation for recycling of PV panels. If an environmentally friendly treatment pathway could be achieved and the recovery rate and purity level meet the market demand, there is strong potential for a circular economy, but it needs proper marginalization at the management levels. This study indicated that the PV panels’ sustainability should be broken down into three principal levels comprising product and component (Macroscopic), material (Mesoscopic), substances (Microscopic). In each level, the associated parties were introduced, and critical elements were discussed. The parties at the macroscopic level mostly consider the projection of the waste, awareness, and marketing of the recovered materials. While the environmental impacts, treatment pathway and its standard are covered by the associated parties at the mesoscopic level. The micro-management more concerns the monitoring of the purity level and transparent movement of the recovered materials and substances into the new industry and new market and highlights further consideration on the regulation at the international and national levels in this case.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/157289