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PUBLICATIONS

Decarbonizing the Economy: Circularizing Solar Photovoltaics

Published

Author(s)

Nehika Mathur

Abstract

Solar photovoltaics (PVs) are the fastest growing clean energy technology. As the first generation of solar PVs reach the end of their functional lives, it is becoming clear that unless strategies to manage discarded panels are implemented, we could be facing another electronics-waste crisis. A PV-focused CE has the potential to address the impending deluge of discarded PVs, the associated environmental concerns, and supply chain risks via the development of secondary feedstocks. This chapter provides a background to the PV sector and the current barriers and drivers to implementing a PV centric CE.
Citation
Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies 2nd ed
Publisher Info
Elsevier, Berkeley, CA
Pub Type
Book Chapters

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90386-8.00142-X
Local Download

Keywords

circular economy, decarbonization, clean energy technologies, solar photovoltaics, end of life, recovery, life cycle symbiosis, industrial symbiosis, secondary materials, recycling, triple bottomline, industrial ecology, life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, standards
Manufacturing and Environment

Citation

Mathur, N. (2024), Decarbonizing the Economy: Circularizing Solar Photovoltaics, Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies 2nd ed, Elsevier, Berkeley, CA, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90386-8.00142-X, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=957503 (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

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Created May 2, 2024, Updated July 7, 2024
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