EU Climate Dialogues on Photovoltaic (PV) Circularity in Australia – Report Published

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EU Climate Dialogues on Photovoltaic (PV) Circularity in Australia - Report Published

The European Union is supporting targeted climate change and energy-related projects in selected third countries through the 'Climate Dialogues' funding instrument. A recent, highly successful EU-Australia project examined solar photovoltaics (PV) through a circular economy lens. Analyses were underpinned by a series of workshops with stakeholders and experts from Australia, the EU, and its Member States.

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The European Union is supporting targeted climate change and energy-related projects in selected third countries through the 'Climate Dialogues' funding instrument. A recent, highly successful project examined solar photovoltaics (PV) through a circular economy lens.

Whilst solar PV will undoubtedly play a key role in decarbonising energy systems globally, we need to ensure we plan now for the inevitable, as huge volumes of PV systems come to the end of their useful lives.

What's more, how do we: avoid certain perverse environmental outcomes as the industry evolves; make the most of scarce resources embedded in PV, including critical minerals; and ensure systems are reused, and repaired where appropriate? What policy settings best incentivise a vibrant PV recycling industry? In summary, how do we best learn from one another to develop an optimum, holistic circular economy approach to PV?

This EU-Australia collaboration examined these and other related important questions. Analyses were underpinned by a series of workshops with stakeholders and experts from Australia, the EU, and its Member States.

We strongly recommend the paper to anyone remotely interested in this important field.

The Delegation of the European Union to Australia would like to thank all those involved.

Please find the report here:

Please find the summary here: