A circular economy framework in solar PV supply chain

The global energy paradigm shift, driven by the imperatives of climate change and energy security, necessitates the adoption of circular economy principles within solar energy supply chains. This unique study transcends the conventional discourse on the circular economy - often limited to technical solutions - to demonstrate how a supply chain designed on cradle-to-cradle principles can achieve poverty alleviation without exacerbating resource dependency. To analyze this complex structure, a novel hybrid methodology was developed, integrating Stakeholder Theory, Natural Resource Dependence Theory, and the Co-benefit Theory into a single operational model. In the initial phase, a field study employing Stakeholder Theory and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods concretely mapped the power-interest dynamics and strategic priorities of key stakeholders within the solar panel supply chain concerning circular economy strategies. In the second stage, a conceptual framework developed using Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) formed the foundation of a Stock-and-Flow model. The empirical data obtained from the first phase were then utilized as inputs for this quantitative model. Findings from the scenario analyses demonstrate that a circular solar panel supply chain quantitatively outperforms its linear counterpart in terms of increasing raw material recovery, enhancing energy access, and significantly reducing the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). This dissertation, by operationalizing a novel theoretical synthesis, provides a strategic guide for policymakers and industry leaders. It demonstrates a synergistic pathway toward achieving measurable progress on several Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1, SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13.