Minnesota is a leader in renewable energy and also actively working to invest in responsible management of solar panels or photovoltaic panels at the end of their useful life.
While currently more expensive than disposal, solar panel recycling is available in the United States. Recycling reclaims valuable materials and reduces life cycle impacts of new production with this secondary source that reduces the demand for virgin materials extraction.
Since 2019, the MPCA has been working with the Department of Commerce, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, local units of government, manufacturers, recyclers, and other interested parties to identify a series of policy recommendations for the optimal management of decommissioned solar panels.
Recommendations report
A study and recommendations for a comprehensive, statewide system for end-of-life solar installations.
Stakeholder process
After MPCA e-waste staff started receiving questions about how to manage end-of-life solar panels, staff received permission from the commissioner’s office to conduct a stakeholder process with the solar industry.
The MPCA, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association kicked off the stakeholder process in 2019 with the goal of developing and implementing photovoltaic panel and end-of-life management policy and programs that conserve resources, protect health, promote renewable energy, and support photovoltaic panel recycling infrastructure and technology. MPCA staff then reached out to local government, additional states conducting studies or those with laws already passed, research groups, recycling companies, and manufacturers.
From 2019-2020, experts from all those areas gave presentations to the growing stakeholder group to learn what was going on in the industry and consider thoughts on managing end-of-life solar panels. In 2020, the MPCA created four policy models that the stakeholder group voted on. From that, the MPCA introduced a product stewardship bill in 2022 that did not pass. A study and policy working group bill was created as a next step.
Policy working group
In 2023, the Legislature passed a law requiring the agency to develop a report on reusing and recycling solar panels and installation components in consultation with the commissioners of the Department of Commerce and the Department of Employment and Economic Development. A policy working group will review the report and must advise the commissioner of the MPCA on policy recommendations for a statewide system to manage solar photovoltaic modules and installation components. The report and the agency policy recommendations are due to the Legislature by Jan. 15, 2025.
Membership of the policy working group includes:
- MnSEIA
- SEIA
- local governments: MACPZA, Townships
- manufacturers: Heliene, First Solar
- recyclers: SolarCycle, Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations, IRT, Cosmic Recycling
- Great Plains Institute
- Xcel Energy, Minn Power
- Department of Commerce, Department of Employment and Economic Development
- tribal representatives
- EDF Renewables
- BlueGreen Alliance
- Conservation Minnesota
- Clean Energy Economy Minnesota
- CURE MN
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Schedule and meetings
| Dates | Task(s) |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | draft report sent to the MPCA |
| October 2024 | Policy Working Group reviews the draft report |
| Oct. 31, 2024 | final report due to the MPCA |
| November 2024 | Policy Working Group advises the commissioner on policy recommendations |
| Jan. 15, 2025 | commissioner must submit the report and the agency policy recommendations to the Legislature |
