The workshop seeked to bring together policy makers, industry representatives, experts and other stakeholders to discuss pathways forward towards a circular and resource-efficient solar power sector in Europe. Specifically, the event aims to provide a platform for open exchange on a number of themes and questions, including the following:

• Up-to-date experience with different circular strategies for solar photovoltaic panels, specifically recycling, repair, and reuse.
• Ongoing standardization initiatives in relation to the preparation for reuse of solar photovoltaic modules. 
• Options and guidelines for a potential future policy framework that could catalyse the transition towards a circular solar power sector in Europe.

(Watch the video below)

Speakers

Panel for PV:

Moderator: Jan CLYNCKE Jan Clyncke | LinkedIn

Panelists:

• Pierre TAUZIN – ENVIE Pierre Tauzin | LinkedIn
• Davide POLVERINI – European Commission Davide Polverini | LinkedIn
• Guillaume BALAS – https://fr.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-balas-259890195
• Karsten WAMBACH - BIFA UMWELTINSTITUT Karsten Wambach | LinkedIn
• Pascal LEROY – WEEE Forum Pascal Leroy

• Batteries Panel:

Moderator: Grietus MULDER Grietus Mulder | LinkedIn
Panelists:

• Eric RUYTERS – EUCOBAT Eric RUYTERS | LinkedIn
• Vanesa RUIZ – European Commission: Vanesa RUIZ | Research Officer | Materials Science PhD | European Commission, Brussels | ec | Joint Research Centre (JRC) (researchgate.net)
• Gareth HINDS – National Physical Laboratory UK (NPL) Gareth Hinds | LinkedIn
• Stefan FERTIG – Panasonic Stephan Fertig | LinkedIn

Policy recommendations presented

• Address premature defects & decommissioning
• Enhance design for circularity and recovery of CRM (Critical Raw Materials)
• Support preparation for reuse
• Establish data collection and sharing procedures
• Address legal-administrative barriers for PSS
• Investigate feasibility of reuse in underexplored EU market segments
• Investigate feasibility of reuse non-EU countries
• EU battery regulation proposal and standardization for reuse of EVB’s
• Strengthen public perception of circular PV and EVB’s
• Research agenda for a circular PV and EVB sector

Video