Policies and Measures for Sustainable Management of Solar Panel End-of-Life in Italy

Ornella Malandrino, Daniela Sica, Mario Testa and Stefania Supino
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Ornella Malandrino: Department of Business Sciences–Management & Innovation Systems (DISA-MIS), University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
Daniela Sica: Department of Business Sciences–Management & Innovation Systems (DISA-MIS), University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
Mario Testa: Department of Business Sciences–Management & Innovation Systems (DISA-MIS), University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
Stefania Supino: Department of Human Science and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to carry out a review of the main technical-economic and environmental implications associated with the production of photovoltaic (PV) energy, one of the renewable sources for the production of electricity which currently presents the highest rate of growth worldwide—particularly in Europe and in Italy. The review provides a detailed exploration of the most important initiatives taken at the national level for the end-of-life management of the modules, and highlights issues associated with the disposal and/or recycling of obsolete photovoltaic panels in terms of techno-economic and socio-environmental sustainability. The paper highlights the main critical elements and potential opportunities deriving from the technological, managerial, and organizational options available to enhance recovery and recycling rates of PV panels in Italy. Results point out the importance of a circular economy perspective, through the involvement and awareness of the actors in the process, in order to render an even greener photovoltaic energy life cycle.

Keywords: renewable sources; photovoltaic; solar panel end-of-life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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