Solar Panels Hazardous Materials

This guidance was prepared by the regulatory assistance office of the department of toxic substances control dtsc and answers frequently asked questions received by the dtsc electronic waste enforcement team.

Solar panels hazardous materials.

The toxic chemicals are a problem at the beginning of a solar panel s life during its construction and at the end of its life when it is disposed of. This informal guidance serves to make available on the web answers to frequently asked questions about solar panels. Environmental scientists and solar industry leaders are raising the red flag about used solar panels which contain toxic heavy metals and are considered hazardous waste. California however is in the process of implementing a new law that reclassifies solar panel waste as a subset of hazardous waste known as universal waste this will enable generators of solar panel waste an entire year rather than today s 90 days to move the waste to an off site recycling facility.

Solar panels may be an appealing choice for clean energy but they harbor their share of toxic chemicals. These two intervals are times when the toxic chemicals can enter into the environment. Silicon tetrachloride mentioned above as one of the most toxic chemicals involved in the manufacturing of panels is usually recycled by manufacturers as a cost saving measure.