Strategies for circular end-of-life management of photovoltaic panels on Amsterdam rooftops

Strategies for circular end-of-life management of photovoltaic panels on Amsterdam rooftops

Stokvisch, Mathijs (TU Delft Architecture and the Built Environment)

Quist, J.N. (mentor)
van Nieuwenhuijzen, Arjen (mentor)

Delft University of Technology
Wageningen University & Research

Metropolitan Analysis, Design and Engineering (MADE)

2022-08-18

Over the past few years, the number of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that are being installed in Amsterdam has been growing considerably. The amount of PV panel installations averages an annual growth of 50%, which is stimulated by the city its ambition to leave no roof unused by 2040. However, little attention is paid to what should happen with these PV panels once they reach end-of-life (EoL) and must be disposed of. This research aims to identify barriers and solution directions to upscale the circularity of EoL management for PV panels located in Amsterdam. This is done to collect better insights on what role cities can play to decrease the size of future PV waste streams. To accomplish this, the research goal is divided into three sub-goals. First, to estimate the size of future PV panel waste streams in Amsterdam over the period 2022-2050. Second, to enhance the understanding of the stakeholders involved in PV panel EoL management system and the barriers that hinder the implementation of innovative reuse and high-value recycling strategies. Third, to identify the ongoing socio-technical developments in the Netherlands to promote innovative reuse and high-value recyclng activities for EoL PV panels.

circular strategies
Photovoltaic
end-of-life management
recycling
reuse

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:39b7711e-c3f9-4264-ab2d-a3925823194b

Student theses

master thesis

© 2022 Mathijs Stokvisch