Increasingly, public bodies, companies, and individuals are choosing to equip their buildings with photovoltaic systems for renewable energy production. Data shows a consistent increase in the adoption of solar panels over recent decades, driven by growing awareness of environmental protection and building sustainability.
As a result, with many older systems installed in past decades now nearing the end of their useful life (estimated at 25-30 years), it's becoming crucial to focus on the proper disposal of panels. This is necessary to minimize health risks and maximize the recovery of valuable components, aligning with true sustainability and environmental protection goals.
Properly treating photovoltaic panels at the end of their life cycle allows for the recovery of 95-98% of their material by weight. This prevents potentially hazardous substances from being released into the environment and enables the recovered components to be reused, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy.
Regulations and Incentives for Photovoltaic Panel Disposal: GSE Guidelines
Current regulations establish the correct procedures for managing end-of-life photovoltaic panels, starting with a key distinction between system types. Although all photovoltaic panels are classified as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) type 4, a difference is made between panels used in domestic systems (3 to 10 kW) and those in professional systems (10 kW or more).
This distinction does not affect the treatment process, which remains the same regardless of the system type. However, it does impact the cost for users: domestic systems can be disposed of for free by their owners by simply taking the panels to their local municipal WEEE collection centers, just like any other electronic waste. In this case, disposal comes at no cost to the owner.
For professional systems that began operation before April 12, 2014, the cost of panel disposal is the owner's responsibility. This rule does not apply, however, if the owner chooses to replace their old system with a new one. In this scenario, the "one-for-one" principle applies, meaning the new system's manufacturer is responsible for disposing of the old panels at no extra cost to the buyer.
It is also important to note that if photovoltaic panels were installed with incentives from the "Conto Energia" (Energy Account), which was active from 2006 to 2013, the Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE) withholds a portion of the incentives as a guarantee for future panel disposal. The amount withheld by GSE is €10 per panel, regardless of whether it's for a domestic or professional system. This amount is returned to the system owner upon presentation of documentation confirming the proper disposal of the panels at the end of their life cycle.
Owners who used the "Conto Energia" can also join specific Collective Systems for the management and disposal of photovoltaic WEEE. These systems coordinate all phases of collection, transport, and disposal of panels at the end of their life, ensuring compliance with regulations and handling the associated bureaucratic procedures.
Properly disposing of end-of-life photovoltaic panels is essential for protecting the environment and public health. Current regulations are specifically aimed at this objective, promoting the correct recovery of panels and incentivizing their delivery to dedicated treatment centers that can sort their components.
CAMEC designs and manufactures custom plants for the treatment of WEEE and photovoltaic panels, capable of maximizing material recovery while fully complying with regulations and protecting the environment. To learn more about how our plants work, please visit our website and contact us.
