Palletized solar modules await recycling in a SolarCycle warehouse.
After a 2017 law created the Photovoltaic Module Stewardship and Takeback Program in Washington, which required solar panel manufacturers to provide the public a way to recycle all purchased modules, the state spent a number of years working through issues with these requirements and attempting to convene stakeholders to come up with solutions that worked for all parties. Now, the governor has signed a bill into law that aims to address the previous problems.
SB5175 amends existing laws to ensure a safe and environmentally sound recycling system for photovoltaic modules. It mandates that manufacturers finance the takeback and recycling system and submit a stewardship plan by January 31, 2030, detailing how they will manage the recycling process, minimize hazardous waste and recover valuable materials. The bill also emphasizes the need for equitable access to recycling programs.
SB5175 also creates a PV module advisory committee to provide recommendations on the recycling system, which will work with an independent consultant to gather research and draft reports, with a final report due by June 1, 2028.
The act is set to take effect on June 30, 2025, and includes penalties of up to $10,000 for manufacturer non-compliance.
