Fig. 4: Reuse rate under different scenarios and the resulting displacement of new modules.
From: Role of the social factors in success of solar photovoltaic reuse and recycle programmes
a, Cumulative materials from EOL PV modules and installer net income assuming that improved warranties give PV owners an equivalent attitude towards used and new modules shows substantial module reuse. Installer cumulative net income is US $3.5 billion and net income is US $2.2 kg–1 in 2050. After 2025, the net income per module decreases as innovation reduces the PV module costs. b, Cumulative installed capacities of used (brown) and new (blue) modules in 2050 for various reuse rates obtained with our simulations; red diamonds (correspond to the right y axis) represent the average fraction of used modules. In an ideal reuse case (the 89% reuse bars), modules landfilled after their second life represent almost 10% of the cumulative EOL PV modules in 2050. Error bars are 95% confidence intervals.
