Optimizing Repowering and Lifecycle Decisions with PV ICE and SAM

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Authors: Heather M. Mirletz, Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Silvana Ovaitt, Matthew J. Prilliman, Brian T. Mirletz
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Abstract

Should you repower or extend the life of your PV system? Are high-efficiency modules, durable modules, or recyclable modules the best option for your site and goals? Evaluating the trade-offs in design and lifecycle strategies can be complex. The PV in Circular Economy (PV ICE) tool is an open-source model designed to help developers, modelers, and decision-makers assess material flows, energy return on investment (EROI), and financial viability of PV systems. Now integrated with the System Advisor Model (SAM), PV ICE enables site-specific comparisons of lifecycle strategies - such as repowering benefits, module selection for reliability and recyclability, among others. This interactive tutorial will provide hands-on experience with PV ICE using Google Collab, exploring scenario-based analyses on these topics.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Publication details

Journal / source
OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information)
Publication date
13 January 2026
Language
EN