A Conceptual Technical–Economic Framework for Life-Cycle Management of Residential Photovoltaic Modules

This study develops a technical–economic model to support planning for second-life reuse and end-of-life management of residential PV modules in Brazil. The model integrates module degradation, residential electricity-demand dynamics, and consumer utility-based replacement decisions to identify temporal milestones at which modules remain technically functional but become vulnerable to premature replacement. By combining technical performance with consumer behavior, the model captures critical transition points between continued operation, replacement, and reuse pathways. Simulation results indicate that premature PV waste generation is highly sensitive to household consumption growth. Under early-growth demand profiles, users reach the attention and break-even milestones at 11.7 and 13.7 years, respectively, whereas under stable-growth profiles, these thresholds occur only at 27.6 and 29.9 years. This difference substantially increases the period during which modules may be replaced before reaching the estimated technical end-of-functional-life threshold of 29.6 years, demonstrating how demand-side dynamics can accelerate waste generation independently of module degradation. The findings indicate that integrating technical and economic criteria into planning decisions may help identify opportunities to extend module service life and reduce avoidable PV waste. The proposed model contributes to the waste-management literature by providing a scalable decision-support basis for reuse assessment, reverse logistics planning, recycling prioritization, and evidence-based policy development. More broadly, it may contribute to strategies that connect low-carbon energy transitions with circular economy principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).