Assessing material requirements, supply and circularity potentials for photovoltaic systems – the case of Cyprus
Journal article, 2026

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems play a crucial role in the global green energy transition, but their material requirements present challenges in terms of supply chain resilience. The required materials include concrete, steel, silver, cadmium, tellurium, indium, and selenium, as well as a range of other materials (aluminium, copper, silicon, germanium and gallium) that are considered either critical or strategically important due to their supply risks and economic importance. Although the challenges for PV systems are addressed in the ambitious European Green Deal of the European Union (EU) through circular economy strategies, implementation at the national level faces obstacles. To analyse the material implications of a green energy transition dominated by solar PVs, this paper focuses on Cyprus, an island country with a high solar energy potential and ambitious PV deployment targets. We use Material Flow Analysis to examine the retrospective and prospective material accumulations and trends under three scenarios: Business-As-Usual (BAU) that reflects a continuation of historical trends; With Existing Measures (WEM) which incorporates currently adopted and legislated policies; and Net-Zero Scenario (NZS) that targets full climate neutrality by 2050. The results show a substantial increase in material stocks across all scenarios, with the NZS projecting the most-significant growth, followed by the WEM and BAU. The NZS also demonstrates a more balanced evolution of material demand over time, potentially mitigating supply chain risks. If circular economy practices are effectively implemented, it is possible for aluminium, copper, silicon, and germanium to meet future material needs through recycling of materials recovered from decommissioned PV systems in Cyprus towards year 2050. We emphasize the importance of policy interventions to initiate waste management activities and to promote circularity in the PV industry, potentially through collaborations with recycling initiatives and other EU countries. Our findings highlight the need for strategic planning and a balanced approach to PV deployment, so as to ensure a resilient and sustainable energy transition for Cyprus, while emphasizing the potential of the NZS for achieving these goals.

Circular economy

Green energy transition

Photovoltaic systems

Material flow analysis

Critical minerals

Author

Ulku Tasseven

Cyprus Institute

Theodoros Zachariadis

Cyprus Institute

Filip Johnsson

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Georgia Savvidou

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Qiyu Liu

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Renewable Energy

0960-1481 (ISSN) 18790682 (eISSN)

Vol. 256 124357

Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)

Environmental Sciences

Energy Systems

DOI

10.1016/j.renene.2025.124357

More information

Latest update

10/3/2025