Renewable Energy

Circular Economy and Solar Photovoltaics

Circular Economy and Solar Photovoltaics: Is There a Case for Second-Life PV Modules?

What happens to a solar PV module after its expected 25-year operational life? With around 2 TW of rooftop and utility-scale PV already deployed worldwide, and a large number of them being retired before operating for 15 years, the amount of PV modules being discarded is growing every year. As PV modules are becoming cheaper by the day, and with the constant improvement in PV module efficiencies, many utility-scale PV power plants are starting to be repowered even before they reach their expected 25 years of operation. Many of these modules are still performing well. Can they be deployed for a second life to provide solar electricity for a few more years?

PV system

France Deploys 1.05 GW of PV in Q2

The French government says the nation installed 1.05 GW of new solar in the second quarter, bringing the country's cumulative installed PV capacity to 22.2 GW by the end of June.

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