A decision-support framework for structuring and assessing photovoltaic panel recycling costs in emerging economies

The rapid expansion of solar energy systems has intensified concerns about the sustainable management of photovoltaic panels at the end of its life cycle, particularly recycling and resource recovery. Despite the growing volume of end-of-life solar equipment, significant uncertainties persist regarding recycling costs, especially in emerging economies, where structured economic assessment approaches remain limited. This study proposes a structured decision-support framework to support the assessment and management of recycling costs associated with end-of-life photovoltaic panels. A Systematic Literature Review was conducted to identify cost components related to photovoltaic recycling, which were then structured using the Function Analysis System Technique. Expert evaluation was used to validate cost relevance and structure. The Fuzzy Delphi method and Mean Rank Position were applied to reach consensus on cost relevance, while the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis method was used to assign weights to cost categories. The resulting framework consolidates consensual cost components into weighted functional clusters, providing a structured basis for economic assessment and supporting decision-making in photovoltaic panel recycling initiatives. The proposed framework contributes to resource conservation and circular economy strategies by supporting managers, investors, and policymakers in structuring and comparing the cost dimensions associated with photovoltaic panel recycling in emerging economies.