According to national policies on solar panels

Are solar panels regulated at end of life?

Find information here about different types of solar panels and how they are regulated at end of life. If you are disposing of solar panels that are hazardous waste, then regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) must be followed to make sure the panels are safely recycled or disposed of. On this page:

How should solar PV panels be managed?

According to NYSDEC guidance, solar PV panels that have reached their EOL should be managed following the state's universal waste regulations. This includes labeling and storing the waste properly and transporting it only to authorized universal waste handlers or recycling facilities.

Should solar panels be regulated as universal waste?

EPA is developing a proposed rule to add solar panels to the universal waste regulations and to add tailored universal waste standards for lithium batteries. EPA is working on this rulemaking in part in response to a petition submitted by a broad coalition of industry associations to regulate solar panels as universal waste.

How do state and industry-led policies affect solar EOL management?

The state- and industry-led policies identified have diverse frameworks that cover different EoL management activities and impact different actors in the solar value chain. In 2017, Washington enacted the first law in the United States to require PV manufacturers to take back and reuse or recycle PV EoL modules from end users.

Are solar panels safe to use?

While in use, solar panels safely generate electricity without creating any air emissions. However, like any source of energy, there are associated wastes that need to be properly recycled or disposed of when solar panels reach their end of life. As the solar photovoltaic (PV) market grows, so will the volume of end-of-life panels.

What are solar PV EOL waste management regulations?

Solar PV EOL waste management regulations in different US states SB 489 (2015): This law requires solar panel manufacturers to establish a program for collecting and recycling solar PV modules sold in California and report on their progress toward meeting recycling goals (Brokaw, 2015).