Are solar PV panels regulated under the European Union WEEE and RoHS Directives?
No, First Solar panels, like all solar panels, are not subject to the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which requires manufacturers of specific products to ensure the collection, recycling, and disposal of their products. Nor are solar panels subject to the EU Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which restricts the use of any of the six substances1 in specific product categories.
No, First Solar panels, like all solar panels, are not subject to the current EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which requires manufacturers of specific products to ensure the collection, recycling, and disposal of their products. Nor are solar panels subject to the EU Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which restricts the use of any of the six substances1 in specific product categories. In a legislatively mandated review process, the European Commission proposed a revision of both the WEEE and RoHS Directives on December 3, 2008. The revisions did not propose the inclusion of solar panels in the scope of the Directives. As part of the standard EU legislative process (“co-decision” making), the proposals are now being reviewed by the European Parliament and the European Council, which represents the 27 EU Member States (countries). The European Council and the European Parliament are currently considering an “open sco
