Universal waste handlers that accept more than 100 kilograms (or 200 pounds) of PV modules from any offsite source or that generate 5,000 kilograms (or 10,000 pounds) or more of PV modules in the calendar year 2022 shall submit a completed written annual report by February 1 of 2023.

UW handlers that conduct disassembling and processing treatment activities of PV modules in the calendar year 2022 shall submit a completed written annual report by February 1 of 2023.

Electronic submission of the annual report is currently not available.

DTSC UW PV modules annual report forms are available to use. The forms DTSC provide are optional to use. UW handlers may submit the annual report to DTSC, without using the form DTSC provides, as long as all the required information are included in the report [22 Cal. Code Regs. § 66273.32(f)(3).]

Annual Report Form for UW PV modules

PV modules Additional Shipped-to Location Template for the Annual Report  

Submit the written annual report to:

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Universal Waste Notification and Reporting Staff
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
ATTN: Universal Waste Handling Activities

Starting January 1, 2021, businesses that intend to manage waste PV modules as universal waste (UW) shall notify DTSC of the universal waste management activities. You can use DTSC’s notification forms provided below to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to handle, treat, or dispose of PV modules. Notification must be submitted for each universal waste handling facility.

Notification Form to handle UW PV modules

Notification Form to treat UW PV modules 

Notification Form to dispose UW PV modules

Submit the written notification to:

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Universal Waste Notification and Reporting Staff
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
ATTN: Universal Waste Handling Activities

In addition to the onetime notification, universal waste handlers that accept more than 100 kilograms (or 200 pounds) of PV modules from any offsite source or that generate 5,000 kilograms (or 10,000 pounds) or more of PV modules in a calendar year shall submit a completed written annual report by February 1 of the following year.

In addition to the onetime notification, UW handlers that conduct disassembling and processing treatment activities of PV modules in a calendar year shall submit a completed written annual report by February 1 of the following year.

Electronic submission of the notification or annual report is currently not available.

This link contains a list of universal waste handlers that currently accept and accumulate PV modules. This list is updated as new information becomes available. 

This link contains a list of universal waste handlers that currently recycle and treat PV modules. This list is updated as new information becomes available. 

DTSC held a public webinar on December 17, 2020, to present information on the recently approved regulation to manage waste photovoltaic modules (PV modules), commonly known as solar panels, as universal waste under California’s Universal Waste Program. The webinar is intended to familiarize people with the requirements of the new regulation for managing PV modules as universal waste under California’s Universal Waste Program.

Below are downloads related to this webinar:

Universal Waste Management of Photovoltaic Modules webinar powerpoint presentation

Universal Waste Management of Photovoltaic Modules webinar 

DTSC’s new PV modules regulation, allowing them to be managed under California’s universal waste program, was recently approved by Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and will be effective starting January 1, 2021. 

DTSC Reference Number: R-2017-04
OAL Reference Number: Z-2019-0409-04

Please be sure to check the website for more information as DTSC continues to update this website. 

Please visit the following Final Regulations webpage for the final regulation rulemaking information.