Material Demand and Contributions of Solar PV End-of-Life Management to the Circular Economy: The Case of Italy

Le Quyen Luu (), Thanh Quang Nguyen, Soroush Khakpour, Maurizio Cellura, Francesco Nocera, Nam Hoai Nguyen and Ngoc Han Bui
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Le Quyen Luu: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bld. 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Thanh Quang Nguyen: Hanoi School of Business and Management, Vietnam National University, 144 Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 11310, Vietnam
Soroush Khakpour: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
Maurizio Cellura: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bld. 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Francesco Nocera: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
Nam Hoai Nguyen: Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, A30 Building, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10072, Vietnam
Ngoc Han Bui: Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, A30 Building, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10072, Vietnam

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-25

Abstract: Circular economy is a crucial strategy for achieving sustainable development. The use of solar PV, which is a renewable energy source, has been considered a popular indicator to measure and evaluate the circularity of an economy and enterprises. The recycling of solar PV panels optimises resource use and reduces the need for virgin materials. However, it does not automatically indicate an environmental advantage if the recovering and recycling processes are energy- or emission-intensive. The paper applies life cycle assessment to quantify the material demand for the Italian solar PV sector and contributions of solar PV end-of-life strategies to the enhancement of the circular economy. It is identified that the material intensity of the Italian solar PV sector increases from 4.67 g Sb eq to 5.20 g Sb eq per MWh by 2040 due to the change in technology mix. At the same time, the total material demand, as well as demand for specific materials, increases over the years, from 2008 to 2040. The strategy on recovery, recycling and reintegration of materials slightly reduces the material demand, from 816 tonnes Sb eq to 814 tonnes Sb eq in 2040. It also brings the benefits of reducing all the life cycle impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand, etc.

Keywords: solar energy; solar PV; circular economy; energy transition; LCA; eco-design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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