Standardization and Life Cycle Cost Assessment Approach in Circular Economy for Photovoltaic Waste

Growing photovoltaic (PV) panel waste causes a new environmental challenge, but on the other hand it gives opportunities to create value and new economic paths. An implementation of a circular economy for photovoltaic waste will help the companies within its value chain to improve its synergies and collaboration. This paper presents a route for implementation of a circular economy based on recycled, reused and recovered silicon, as well as indium and silver, from PV waste. The application is mainly for photovoltaic, but also for electronic and glass industry. The integration of latest scientific findings and technological developments into new standards can provide a foundation for subsequent developments and new research efforts. Here the authors present the principles of standardization and relevant standard documents for successful adoption of circular economy for photovoltaic waste. Additionally, life cycle cost assessment (LCC) approach of the circular economy system and its main findings are presented.