CircSolar: Paneling the Path to Circular Sunpower

Purpose and goal

The project has the following objectives, with goal 3 considered to be the main objective: 1. Develop a framework for analyzing circularity in the solar panel value chain. 2. Create future scenarios to predict future flows and evaluate changes in processes and the composition of value chains. 2. Propose what a national infrastructure for the circularity of solar panels should look like and how it should be developed. This includes business models for stakeholders and the policies and directives required for an effective and sustainable system.

Expected effects and result

"A proactive design of a circular system for solar panels is crucial to ensure compliance with future requirements, secure access to essential recycled natural resources and materials, and enhance the competitiveness of the Swedish and European solar industry. Potential long-term effects of implementing the project´s solutions may also include increased investments in the recycling sector and technology related to solar panels, creating conditions for the circular utilization of materials and metals as well as the addition of job opportunities

Planned approach and implementation

The project involves participants from the entire value chain and aims to continuously expand the number of participating actors to achieve systemic change. The project group initially consists of 7 parties: AxFoundation, El-Kretsen, Remondis, Stena Recycling, Svea Solar, KTH, and IKEA. The project comprises three main phases: first, a baseline analysis, followed by the development of scenarios and modeling of these scenarios, and finally, proposals for a circular system for solar panels.