The circular economy approach to evaluating end-of-life cost alternatives of solar PV panels: The case of Burnoye-1, Kazakhstan

The circular economy concept resonates as a new approach to optimize limited resource usage and reduce waste generation. However, the most solar PV power plant analyses do not consider the sustainable disposal of used systems at the end of life (EoL) or at the time for potential refurbishment. The 50 MWp Burnoye-1 solar power plant in the Jambyl region in Kazakhstan was modeled using the RETScreen Expert platform to determine how the circular economy concept may increase its environmental benefits and impact the levelized cost of produced electricity. Results proved that recycling Burnoye-1's photovoltaic panels at EoL would increase the project's Net Present profit by almost 0.373 million USD, marginally raising its Benefit–cost and internal rate of return (IRR) on equity by much less than 1% each, with respect to the non-recycling baseline. However, a significant impact on the 25-year lifetime GHG emissions is achieved when PV recycling is considered. Recycling the PV panels in Burnoye-1 at the EoL would add an extra 76.5 ktCO_2e emissions reduction, representing an increase of 8.7% in its avoided lifetime GHG emissions. Furthermore, PV recycling may generate local jobs benefitting the neighboring communities. Thus, this study demonstrates that the circular economy approach is viable in Kazakhstan and will help the country meet its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2060.