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22 <br />End -of- Life /Decommissioning <br />Question. What happens after solar panels are no longer used and are being decommissioned? Do <br />hazardous waste disposal requirements apply? <br />Bottom Line- The interest in recycling of solar panels has increased in Europe and the U S as more <br />panels are decommissioned State regulations are in place to ensure proper disposal and recycling of <br />panels with components that constitute solid or hazardous waste under state regulations <br />More information. The average life of solar PV panels can be 20 -30 years (or longer) after initial <br />installation PV cells typically lose about 0 5% of their energy production capacity per year At their time <br />of decommissioning, panels may be disposed, recycled or reused Since widespread use of solar PV is <br />recent in Massachusetts, only a small percentage of solar panels in use in the state have reached the <br />end of their useful lifetime A significant increase in the amount of end -of -life PV modules is expected <br />over the next few decades <br />When solar panels are decommissioned, state rules require that panel disposal be "properly managed" <br />pursuant to Massachusetts hazardous waste regulations There are many different types of solar panels <br />used in ground- mounted solar PV systems, some of these panels have components that may, by state <br />regulation, require special hazardous waste disposal or recycling Solar module manufacturers typically <br />provide a list of materials used in the manufacturing of their product, which is used to determine the <br />proper disposal at the time of decommissioning <br />People who lease land for solar projects are encouraged to include end -of -life panel management as <br />part of the lease In cases where panels are purchased, owners need to determine whether the end -of- <br />life panels are a solid or hazardous waste and dispose of the panels appropriately Massachusetts <br />regulations require testing of waste before disposal <br />Because of the various materials used to produce solar panels (such as metal and glass), interest in <br />recycling of solar modules has grown Throughout Europe, a not - for - profit association (PV Cycle) is <br />managing a voluntary collection and recycling program for end -of -life PV modules. The American <br />photovoltaic industry is not required by state or federal regulation to recycle its products, but several <br />solar companies are starting to recycle on a voluntary basis Some manufacturers are offering end -of -life <br />recycling options and independent companies looking to recycle solar modules are growing This allows <br />for the recycling of the PV panels and prevents issues with the hazardous materials Currently, the <br />California Department of Toxic Substances Control is considering standards for the management of solar <br />PV panels at the end of their use <br />DOER'S model zoning provides language on requirements for abandonment and decommissioning of <br />solar panels for use by local officials considering local approvals for these projects <br />Resources <br />End -of -life PV then what? - Recycling solar PV panels <br />http . / /www.renewableenergVfocus.com /view /3005 /end -of- life -pv -then- what - recycling - solar -pv- panels/ <br />