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Towards a circular photovoltaic economy: the role of service‐based business models
Towards a circular photovoltaic economy: the role of service‐based business models
Strupeit, Lars; Bocken, Nancy
FG Transdisziplinäre Nachhaltigkeitsforschung in der Elektronik
Solar photovoltaics (PV) has experienced tremendous market growth and has large potential
in the urgently needed transition towards a low-carbon energy system. The continued growth of the
sector will, however, evoke new sustainability challenges with regard to efficient material use as well as
end-of life management of PV products. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of potential
Circular Economy actions in the PV sector, and explore the present and potential future role of servicebased
business models in operationalizing these actions. Based on a review of academic and industry
literature, the paper structures the circularity actions according to the ReSOLVE framework. The
analysis also distinguishes between the role of product-oriented, use-oriented and result-oriented
product-service systems (PSS). Results show that to result-oriented business models have primarily
been implemented in order to facilitate the adoption of PV deployment. Product-oriented PSS are
widespread with the service component involving maintenance, repair, insurance and warranties. The
paper further explores opportunities of service-based business models to enhance additional circularity
actions such as a sharing, optimisation and looping, which so far are mostly in a conceptual or pilot
stage only. Expanding beyond current practices, the paper explores future pathways of service-based
business models to catalyse a range of additional circular economy actions in the PV sector, and
discusses some of the associated key challenges and gaps in knowledge.
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