Cooperating for circularity? Perspectives of citizen energy cooperative members on circular solar business models

Abstract

Solar photovoltaics (PV) play a critical role in advancing the sustainable energy transition, but growing concerns about PV waste highlight the need for circular economy solutions within the solar value chain. Meanwhile, concerns for the social impact of the circular economy call for a circular society, emphasizing social and environmental justice and requiring organisational forms that enable economic democracy. In many European countries, citizen energy cooperatives have successfully promoted renewable energy adoption in a democratically controlled and participatory way. However, evidence on the role of cooperatives in a circular economy remains limited. In this paper, we use survey data from Flanders (Belgium), to investigate perspectives of citizen energy cooperative members and non-members on circular solar business models. Our findings reveal that cooperative members exhibit greater interest and trust in solar Product-Service Systems models and PV reuse, driven not only by financial considerations but also by environmental consciousness and cooperative values. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the role of citizen energy cooperatives in fostering the circular economy and recommends cooperatives to ensure participation of disadvantaged communities to contribute to a circular society. The research identifies avenues for future research and contributes to the broader discourse on organising circular societies.