Ensuring Circularity Through Outsourcing Decisions in Solar Photovoltaic Supply Chains

Abstract

Because solar photovoltaic (SPv) panels have seen such significant cost reductions in recent years, it has proven to be by far the most dynamic forms of renewable power generation. However, the transition from linear to circular is also crucial for building sustainability in SPv supply chains. The circular economy (CE) is appealing in part because of its ability to bring economic and environmental development objectives together to ensure sustainable production and consumption. To aid in the shift to a more circular economy, several circular-based strategies for various functions such as procurement can be developed. In this study, critical success factors (CSFs) to ensure circular outsourcing structure in SPv supply chains are identified and scrutinized. To achieve this, a multi-criteria-based methodology is proposed. The findings of this study argue that understanding the actual implications of not converting to circular outsourcing (C<inf>12</inf>) is the most significant cause CSF. This study also provides several implications. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.