Circular solar industry supply chain through product technological design changes

Climate change forces countries and organisations to transition towards renewable energies (RE). The requires a substantial amount of energy installations, such as PV (photovoltaic) systems. EU solar cells (main panels component) manufacturing capacity in 2019 were only 0,2% compared the world producers’ capacity. It makes European Union dependable on foreign countries. In addition, supply chain industry is facing issues silicon having critical raw material (CRM) silver toxic materials lead. themselves are complex combination components making recovery difficult process (Ha, 2020). These further lack circularity value endangers reliable access long term. goal this research increase by designing technologically product circular way. order achieve goal, authors blended information provided contemporary scientific literature with shared expertise producers other stakeholders. Insights about possible technological design changes panels, their issues, impact gathered through an online workshop Horizon 2020 project CIRCUSOL. As result research, proposed improvement’ steps specific solutions, which would allow enhancing chain. solutions radio-frequency identification (RFID), lead-free ribbons bismuth lead replacement, electrically conductive adhesive (ECA), new industrial cell encapsulation (N.I.C.E), fluorine-free back sheet.