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Towards a Circular Solar Power Sector: Experience with a Support Framework for Business Model Innovation

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Listed:
  • Lars Strupeit

    (Lund University)

  • Nancy Bocken

    (Maastricht University)

  • Wim Opstal

    (Maastricht University
    VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological Research)

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the global solar photovoltaic (PV) market as part of the transition to a low-carbon energy future will increase both demand for raw materials used in PV product manufacturing as well as future PV panel waste volumes. There is an urgent need for solar industry businesses to adopt circular business models, and to support this process through targeted tools and methods that can facilitate the innovation process of such models. This paper employs an action-oriented case study methodology, drawing on insights garnered from five demonstrator cases that have applied and validated a Circular Business Model Innovation (CBMI) framework within the PV sector. Results show how this framework was applied in practice during the ideation, design, experimentation, and scaling phases of the innovation process. Specifically, results show how an experimental and iterative approach was found critical to assess viability, desirability, and feasibility of circular business strategies. The study’s empirical testing of tools with the context of a Circular Economy complements earlier theoretical conceptualizations of business model innovation processes. It illustrates how using multiple tools can provide firms with complementary insights in each stage of ideation, design, testing, and scaling of business models. It is recommended that policy makers and business leaders endorse such co-creative and experimental approaches to foster learning and business model innovation, thereby catalysing the transformation of an entire renewable energy industry sector towards Circular Economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Strupeit & Nancy Bocken & Wim Opstal, 2024. "Towards a Circular Solar Power Sector: Experience with a Support Framework for Business Model Innovation," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 2093-2118, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:4:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-024-00377-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-024-00377-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li‐Heng Chen & Peiying Hung & Hwong‐wen Ma, 2020. "Integrating circular business models and development tools in the circular economy transition process: A firm‐level framework," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1887-1898, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Spellmeier, Júlia Possebon & Rosa, Carmen Brum & Rigo, Paula Donaduzzi & Mello, Mario Fernando & Hoss, Marcelo, 2025. "Design of a business model for competitive end-of-life performance of photovoltaic systems in Brazil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    2. Van Opstal, Wim, 2025. "Too old for a circular solar economy? Age dynamics in the acceptance of solar and circular value propositions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).

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