Deconstructing value in solar panel reuse with time-explicit life cycle assessment and costing

Abstract

Many solar panels are discarded before the end of their technical lifespan, wasting valuable energy generation potential. Reusing these panels in underserved communities expands clean energy access but incurs upfront processing costs and yields energy later, at diminishing capacity. To justify such value retention efforts, the temporal dimension is essential yet underexplored. This study uses Time-Explicit Life Cycle Assessment and Costing to investigate when, which values were retained, and at which cost, across three solar panel reuse cases in the Netherlands.

Results show life cycle Carbon Footprints savings of up to 231,700kgCO2-eq and financial savings up to €307,935. However, during reuse processing years, Carbon Footprints rise by 37 %, and upfront costs rise by up to 90 %. Cost bearers and beneficiaries differ. Nevertheless, these additional impacts balance out in 2–3 years. Reuse emerges as a promising circular strategy, provided financing and policy mechanisms will be in place to address upfront costs.