During this online event, we will identity opportunities to accelerate circularity for solar panels. We will do this together with frontrunners from science, industry, and government.
For solar panels to be sustainable, we need circular solutions addressing their full life cycle. Currently their production causes huge environmental and social impact, while reuse and proper recycling does not occur.
When: Monday 28th of June
What time: 14:00h - 18:00h CEST
Where: Online event live from NEMO
Sign up for the 24th Circular Economy Lab: Circular Solar Panels.
Toward circular solutions for solar panels
Nowadays solar panels are treated as disposables. In the Netherlands, currently about 7 to 8 million new solar panels are installed every year, amounting to over 120.000 ton of valuable materials imported each year. Soon this growth of the solar energy market will result a huge pile of discarded PV modules.
It is about time that we start investing in circular solutions for solar panels. At present, we don’t do much with discarded panels. There is no demand for used PV modules, which either end up in landfills or are downcycled. This way, we will run into trouble, as solar panels are valuable high-tech products. Production of panels costs a lot of energy and causes a lot of CO2 and environmental impact while being associated with forced labor in China. Moreover, Western countries increasingly make themselves dependent on scarce and critical raw materials applied in PV modules.
Starting off a circular PV movement
In collaboration with Amsterdam Economic Board, City of Amsterdam and Alliantie Cirkelregio Utrecht, Utrecht Sustainability Institute and AMS Institute organize the 24th Circular Economy Lab on solar panels.
During the Circular Economy Lab, experts and frontrunners from science, industry, and governments will come together to identify opportunities and hurdles for circular innovations in the solar energy market. The goal is to start a circular movement for solar panels in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. We will address promising market innovations in a circular design, business models, and high-value recycling. In addition, we will discuss the incentive role of governments in policymaking and green public procurement.
Join the panel discussions, learn from the experts and raise the questions that help your organization forward. The Circular Economy Lab will be an online and interactive session, live streamed from NEMO Studio.
This event is in Dutch.
Sign up here for the 24th Circular Economy Lab: Circular Solar Panels
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