Solar panels

In 2017, the Washington Legislature passed Senate Bill 5939 to promote a sustainable, local renewable energy industry through modifying tax incentives.

One portion of the bill created Chapter 70A.510.010 RCW (Photovoltaic Module Stewardship and Takeback Program), which requires manufacturers of solar panels, also known as photovoltaic or "PV" modules, to provide the public a convenient and environmentally sound way to recycle all modules purchased after July 1, 2017.

Beginning July 1, 2025, solar panels may not be sold in Washington unless the manufacturer of those panels has a stewardship plan approved by Ecology.

Rather than complying with the law creating a takeback program, some manufacturers have chosen to not sell solar panels in Washington. The state’s clean energy transition is facing a setback if the law goes into effect on July 1, 2025. If the law is unchanged, it would disrupt the supply and cost of panels available for sale in Washington.

Legislative proposal to delay implementation of solar panel law

We are requesting a delay in the effective dates of the law. This will enable the industry to legally continue operating in the state while solutions are being developed. A delay will also allow for the creation of a facilitated advisory committee to identify problems with the law and develop recommendations to fix them.

Please visit our 2025 legislative priorities webpage for more information. Questions about this proposal can be directed to:

Julie Robertson
Legislative coordinator, Solid Waste Management program
julie.robertson@ecy.wa.gov
360-763-2728

We hosted a meeting for solar panel manufacturers on Sept. 20, 2024. At the meeting, Ecology provided general feedback on the stewardship plans it has received, provided information on how to submit a plan, allowed participants to ask questions, and also introduced its legislative proposal.

Manufacturers are required to finance the takeback and recycling system at no cost to the owner of the PV module. Under the law, the "manufacturer" of a PV module covered by law, sold in or into Washington includes any entity that:

Has legal ownership of the brand name or co-brand of PV module.
Imports a PV module branded by a manufacturer that has no physical presence in the United States.
Sells at retail a PV module acquired from an importer and chooses to take legal responsibility in place of the importer as the manufacturer of that product.
Chooses to take legal responsibility on behalf of a manufacturer as defined in the previous bullets.

A product stewardship organization may act on behalf of a manufacturer or group of manufacturers to operate and implement the stewardship program.

Resources

Manufacturer plan guidance for the PV module stewardship program.
Conditional Exclusion of Electronic Wastes for management options for solar panels.

Contact information

Brett Rude
brett.rude@ecy.wa.gov
564-669-9349