Presentation on "Circular Business Model Experimentation in the Solar Industry" at the International Conference on New Business Models (NBM)
Roger Nyffenegger, PhD student at the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the University of Maastricht, presented partial results from the Swiss PV Circle project at this year's NBM conference. Based on the pilots carried out in Swiss PV Circle, findings on the feasibility, desirability, profitability and recyclability of business models for the reuse of photovoltaic modules were presented, put into context and discussed with the audience consisting of researchers and industry representatives.
The NBM conference focusses on business models that contribute to sustainable development. Unfortunately, the business models in our economic system are still organised in a very linear way and, as a result, are not sustainable in many areas. The photovoltaic industry is also largely organised in a linear fashion, which contributes to the rapid implementation of the energy transition, but also brings with it new challenges, such as increasing quantities of discarded photovoltaic modules at the end of their life cycle.
The photovoltaic industry would therefore do well to adopt new and more sustainable business models in the area of the circular economy. However, reorganising business models and entire ecosystems in this way is a complex process. Experimenting with business models can facilitate this process, as Nancy Bocken and Brian Baldassarre show in their research as part of Circular X.
In Switzerland, the Swiss PV Circle project aims to establish such new, more sustainable business models in the photovoltaic industry, particularly in the area of PV module reuse. Small-scale pilots are being used to experiment with various aspects of these business models and make them visible. The technical and time-related feasibility, customer desirability, financial profitability and recyclability play a central role in the analysis and implementation.
The aim of Swiss PV Circle in the area of business models for reuse is to network and empower various stakeholders by providing impetus through these pilots so that reuse can gain a foothold in Switzerland. You can find more information about the project here (link homepage).
The International Conference on New Business Models took place from 3 to 5 July 2024 in Donostia/San Sebastian.