Environmental and Circular Economy Implications of Solar Energy in a Decarbonized U.S. Grid

Garvin Heath; Dwarakanath Ravikumar; Silvana Ovaitt; Leroy Walston; Taylor Curtis; Dev Millstein; Heather Mirletz; Heidi Hartmann; James McCall

doi:10.2172/1844985

Environmental and Circular Economy Implications of Solar Energy in a Decarbonized U.S. Grid

Garvin Heath, Dwarakanath Ravikumar, Silvana Ovaitt, Leroy Walston, Taylor Curtis, Dev Millstein, Heather Mirletz, Heidi Hartmann, James McCall

Research output: NREL › Technical Report

Abstract

This report addresses environmental and circular economy (CE) considerations related to solar technologies via novel analysis of the three Solar Futures core scenarios as well as synthesis of published research. We organize these issues into the three basic life cycle phases of a solar technology: manufacturing, operation (including site selection and construction), and EOL. Related environmental justice issues are also explored. Finally, we recommend research and development (R&D) activities that could help clarify challenges and identify solutions. Because PV deployment is projected to be much larger than CSP deployment, we offer a more detailed analysis of PV-related issues.

Original language	American English
Number of pages	156
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2172/1844985
State	Published - 2022

NREL Publication Number

NREL/TP-6A20-80818

Keywords

circular economy
environmental
materials
photovoltaics
PV
solar
supply chain

Access to Document

10.2172/1844985

https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy22osti/80818.pdf

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title = "Environmental and Circular Economy Implications of Solar Energy in a Decarbonized U.S. Grid",

abstract = "This report addresses environmental and circular economy (CE) considerations related to solar technologies via novel analysis of the three Solar Futures core scenarios as well as synthesis of published research. We organize these issues into the three basic life cycle phases of a solar technology: manufacturing, operation (including site selection and construction), and EOL. Related environmental justice issues are also explored. Finally, we recommend research and development (R&D) activities that could help clarify challenges and identify solutions. Because PV deployment is projected to be much larger than CSP deployment, we offer a more detailed analysis of PV-related issues.",

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author = "Garvin Heath and Dwarakanath Ravikumar and Silvana Ovaitt and Leroy Walston and Taylor Curtis and Dev Millstein and Heather Mirletz and Heidi Hartmann and James McCall",

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AU - Heath, Garvin

AU - Ravikumar, Dwarakanath

AU - Ovaitt, Silvana

AU - Walston, Leroy

AU - Curtis, Taylor

AU - Millstein, Dev

AU - Mirletz, Heather

AU - Hartmann, Heidi

AU - McCall, James

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - This report addresses environmental and circular economy (CE) considerations related to solar technologies via novel analysis of the three Solar Futures core scenarios as well as synthesis of published research. We organize these issues into the three basic life cycle phases of a solar technology: manufacturing, operation (including site selection and construction), and EOL. Related environmental justice issues are also explored. Finally, we recommend research and development (R&D) activities that could help clarify challenges and identify solutions. Because PV deployment is projected to be much larger than CSP deployment, we offer a more detailed analysis of PV-related issues.

AB - This report addresses environmental and circular economy (CE) considerations related to solar technologies via novel analysis of the three Solar Futures core scenarios as well as synthesis of published research. We organize these issues into the three basic life cycle phases of a solar technology: manufacturing, operation (including site selection and construction), and EOL. Related environmental justice issues are also explored. Finally, we recommend research and development (R&D) activities that could help clarify challenges and identify solutions. Because PV deployment is projected to be much larger than CSP deployment, we offer a more detailed analysis of PV-related issues.

KW - circular economy

KW - environmental

KW - materials

KW - photovoltaics

KW - PV

KW - solar

KW - supply chain

U2 - 10.2172/1844985

DO - 10.2172/1844985

M3 - Technical Report

ER -

Environmental and Circular Economy Implications of Solar Energy in a Decarbonized U.S. Grid

Abstract

NREL Publication Number

Keywords

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