Because solar and storage constitute the majority of new power for the U.S. electric grid, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) created a roadmap to implement a circular economy (sometimes called a cradle-to-cradle economy) throughout the industry. Its goal is to prepare the industry to meet the challenge of responsibly managing the equipment nearing the end of its service life.

The roadmap, “A Vision for Implementing the Circular Economy in the Solar and Storage Industry,” explains how the industry can reduce waste, reinforce supply chains and lengthen the life of clean energy products, while at the same time increasing job creation and improving economic growth.

The roadmap for a circular economy removes the link between economic growth and resource consumption. The implementation of a circular economy could boost sustainable growth for the solar and storage industry by reducing reliance on new raw materials, mitigating risks presented by a linear economy and cutting costs by using resources efficiently. Furthermore, extending the life of products and recovering materials from them could enable the industry to scale more affordably, fortify local economies and strengthen U.S. energy security.             Details of the roadmap include:

• Develop national standards for recycling, decommissioning and reuse of solar and storage equipment.
• Provide support and technical assistance to manufacturers to help create demand for recovered raw materials.
• Support research and development workstreams to devise solutions to overcome barriers to implementing a circular economy.
• Develop contract language that satisfies financial assurance requirements for project decommissioning.
• Develop zero waste-to-landfill best practices.
• Develop model siting and handling guidelines for solar panel recycling facilities.
• Design a framework for a national network of solar and storage equipment collection sites that increase logistical efficiencies.
• Convene a first-of-its-kind sustainability conference for the U.S. solar industry.
• Advocate for legislation and regulatory requirements at the local/state/federal levels to make resource recovery easier and less expensive than land disposal.
• Assess and develop recommendations for additional standards to support successful permitting of projects.
  

The timeline for execution of this action plan anticipates key standards to be in place by 2026.

“As the industry continues to expand, it’s important that we implement strategies that extend the life of our products while reducing waste to unlock economic opportunities and a healthier environment. That’s what the circular economy is all about,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA president and CEO. “This roadmap outlines the everyday solutions for turning our vision into reality—by providing a concrete action plan to develop national standards, create demand for recovered and recycled materials, and reduce waste in landfills.”

As the solar and storage industry grows, SEIA intends to work with companies in the industry, government agencies, the solid waste industry, academia and nongovernmental organizations to alleviate uncertainty in the market, reinforce domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and promote economic growth.