Publicação
Closing the Solar Loop: Sustainability Trends in Photovoltaic Research
| Resumo: | The increasing global demand for renewable energy has elevated photovoltaic (PV) systems as a central technology in the transition toward a low-carbon future. While PVs are widely recognized for their role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during energy generation, their broader environmental impact remain a significant sustainability challenge. In this context, the circular economy (CE) framework has emerged as a promising approach to mitigate these impacts, promoting strategies such as resource efficiency, recycling, reuse and sustainable sourcing. However, the integration of CE principles into PV research and practice is still fragmented and underexplored. This thesis investigates how CE-related concepts are being incorporated into PV literature, examining temporal trends, thematic focuses and geographical disparities. The research is guided by a central question: how has CE, particularly in relation to environmental and economic dimensions, evolved within PV systems research, and what implications does this have for the future of sustainable energy technologies? To address this, a hybrid methodological approach was adopted. A bibliometric analysis mapped publication trends and thematic concentrations, while natural language processing (NLP) techniques, including sentiment analysis and n-gram modelling, provided qualitative insights into emerging narratives and terminology. The study also includes a comparative geopolitical analysis of CE-PV research contributions across G7 and BRICS+ nations. Findings show that while references to sustainability and CE are present in PV literature, much of the discourse remains focused on technological optimization and efficiency, which, although not explicitly labelled as CE, may indirectly contribute to sustainability goals. Sentiment analysis of titles and abstracts revealed a generally positive tone, reflecting optimism in technological progress, while co-authorship and publication patterns highlight regional disparities and evolving collaboration networks. This work contributes to the growing body of literature at the intersection of PV and CE by offering a structured, data-driven examination of how sustainability is conceptualized and communicated in the field. It also provides a replicable methodological framework and identifies gaps and opportunities for more holistic, policyrelevant research moving forward. |
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| Autores principais: | Gonçalves, Joana Coelho |
| Assunto: | photovoltaic systems circular economy sustainability bibliometric review content analysis SDG 7 - Affordable and clean energy SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communities SDG 12 - Responsible production and consumption SDG 13 - Climate action SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso embargado |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Resumo: | The increasing global demand for renewable energy has elevated photovoltaic (PV) systems as a central technology in the transition toward a low-carbon future. While PVs are widely recognized for their role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during energy generation, their broader environmental impact remain a significant sustainability challenge. In this context, the circular economy (CE) framework has emerged as a promising approach to mitigate these impacts, promoting strategies such as resource efficiency, recycling, reuse and sustainable sourcing. However, the integration of CE principles into PV research and practice is still fragmented and underexplored. This thesis investigates how CE-related concepts are being incorporated into PV literature, examining temporal trends, thematic focuses and geographical disparities. The research is guided by a central question: how has CE, particularly in relation to environmental and economic dimensions, evolved within PV systems research, and what implications does this have for the future of sustainable energy technologies? To address this, a hybrid methodological approach was adopted. A bibliometric analysis mapped publication trends and thematic concentrations, while natural language processing (NLP) techniques, including sentiment analysis and n-gram modelling, provided qualitative insights into emerging narratives and terminology. The study also includes a comparative geopolitical analysis of CE-PV research contributions across G7 and BRICS+ nations. Findings show that while references to sustainability and CE are present in PV literature, much of the discourse remains focused on technological optimization and efficiency, which, although not explicitly labelled as CE, may indirectly contribute to sustainability goals. Sentiment analysis of titles and abstracts revealed a generally positive tone, reflecting optimism in technological progress, while co-authorship and publication patterns highlight regional disparities and evolving collaboration networks. This work contributes to the growing body of literature at the intersection of PV and CE by offering a structured, data-driven examination of how sustainability is conceptualized and communicated in the field. It also provides a replicable methodological framework and identifies gaps and opportunities for more holistic, policyrelevant research moving forward. |
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