Module Recycling to Become Obligatory

Because solar companies could not agree on a concept for voluntary module recycling, the EU is now slapping them with the dreaded WEEE waste regulation. It obligates them to keep high levels of reserves for the collection and recycling of panels and is connected with major administrative cost.

In 2007, the photovoltaic industry was still dominated by great idealism. At that time, the manufacturers agreed at the Photovoltaics Fab Managers Forum in Leipzig to introduce higher environmental standards and low-emission lines. And when the recycling organisation, PV Cycle, was founded a few months later, over 100 companies immediately joined. They wanted to take responsibility for the waste that their products will also become after 25 to 30 years. For this reason, the solar modules were to be voluntarily collected and recycled at the end of their life.

Unfortunately, the green vision became a distant prospect. Instead of the photovoltaic boom reducing demand, instead of investing in green solar factories, budgetary constraints rule the manufacturers. There is even a problem with PV Cycle: Instead of being able to recycle at their own pace, the EU wants to make the solar industry conform to the European WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive). The industry wanted to avoid exactly this red tape due to its immense administrative cost. However, Brussels is decided: “The EU committees have agreed: In the future, modules should fall under the WEEE,” says Oliver Schäfer, director of market development of the US manufacturer, Sunpower. He expects the amendment to the law to be approved by the spring of 2012.