Role of the social factors in success of solar photovoltaic reuse and recycle programmes

Abstract By 2050, the cumulative mass of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules may reach 80 Mt globally. The impacts could be mitigated by module recycling, repair and reuse; however, previous studies PV circularity omit consideration critical social factors. Here we used an agent-based model to integrate aspects with techno-economic factors, which provides a more realistic assessment potential for previously studied interventions that assesses additional cannot analysed using analysis alone. We also performed global sensitivity machine-learning metamodel. show exclude factors underestimates effect lower recycling prices on material circularity, highlights relevance considering in future studies. Interventions aimed at changing customer attitudes about boost reuse modules, although can only satisfy one-third US demand during 2020–2050, suggests should complemented recycling.