An article co-authored by Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), Doctor of Economic Sciences, and Professor, has been published in the journal "Circular Economy and Sustainability." The journal is published by "Springer Nature," one of the world's largest scientific publishing groups, and is indexed by "The Web of Science" and "Scopus" (ranking in the Q1 category).

The other co-authors of the article, titled "Circular Economy Strategies for Solar Photovoltaic Waste Management: Global Practices and Implications for Azerbaijan’s Green Energy Transition," are Gunay Guliyeva, Doctor of Philosophy in Economics and Associate Professor, and Rashad Baghirov, a PhD candidate at the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University.

Against the backdrop of the global expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, the article comprehensively analyzes the management of end-of-life PV waste and the application of circular economy approaches in this field. Emphasizing the importance of PV waste management in terms of mitigating environmental risks and increasing resource efficiency, the study provides a scientifically grounded evaluation of integrating circular economy principles into the energy sector.

The research delivers a comparative analysis of existing PV waste management practices in countries such as Germany, Australia, and the USA. It draws attention to Germany's stringent regulatory framework accompanied by high resource recovery and recycling targets, Australia's decentralized infrastructure model, and the USA's innovative approaches aimed at material recovery and green job creation.

According to the results of the study, parallel to the expansion of the solar energy sector in Azerbaijan, the volume of PV waste is projected to reach approximately 60 million tons by 2050. This necessitates the implementation of systematic and proactive policy measures in the field of waste management within the country.

In response to these challenges, the article recommends the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, the formation of a hybrid recycling infrastructure, and the development of green financing mechanisms in Azerbaijan. Concurrently, it notes that applying circular economy principles such as reuse, recovery, and recycling will enhance resource efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The research demonstrates that these approaches contribute not only to solving environmental problems but also to forming new economic value chains and creating "green jobs." Consequently, the study can support the reinforcement of Azerbaijan's regional leadership position by accelerating its transition to a sustainable development model in the renewable energy sector.

The journal "Circular Economy and Sustainability" is considered one of the leading scientific platforms for the international community in the fields of circular economy, resource management, and sustainable development.

You can access and read the article via the following link:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-026-00973-5