A PV module is defined as a device consisting of, or containing, one or more electrically connected photovoltaic cells that are designed to convert solar radiation into electrical energy. PV modules include integrated components that cannot be separated without breaking the PV module glass. Examples of integrated components include, but are not limited to:  

• protective glass,  
• conductive metal contact,  
• metal framing the photovoltaic cells,  
• housing or pocket holding the photovoltaic cells/modules, and  

• top and back layer.  

PV modules are composed of, but are not limited to,  

• monocrystalline silicon,  
• polycrystalline silicon,  
• amorphous silicon,  

• cadmium telluride,  
• copper indium  
• gallium selenide,  
• gallium indium phosphide/gallium arsenide/gallium, and  
• perovskite.  

PV cells that are not electrically connected can be managed as a PV module. This excludes ancillary components that are not integrated to the PV module.  

PV module is defined in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 23, article 1, section 66273.9.  

PV modules are also commonly referred to as PV panels or solar panels. However, PV modules also include, in addition to solar panels, devices such as solar powered garden lights and solar powered backpacks. 

A PV system is defined as a set of components consisting of one or more PV modules and includes any ancillary components that can be manually separated without breaking the photovoltaic module glass such as, but not limited to, metal frames used to support the PV module, connectors, junction boxes, batteries, inverters, wires, and cables that are connected to the PV module. PV systems are also commonly referred to as solar systems. 

The definition of a PV system is defined in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 23, article 1, section 66273.9.

Based on the regulatory definition, PV modules become a waste when they are discarded by being relinquished, recycled, or considered inherently waste like.  

In general, PV module become a waste when: 

1. The generator decides to discard them, or 

1. For modules that will not be reused, when they are disconnected/removed from service. 

Definition of a waste is defined in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 11, article 1. (Link). 

Not all PV modules are hazardous. PV modules can contain heavy metals such as silver, copper, lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, which at certain levels are classified as hazardous waste.  

Analytical test results, using federal and California specific toxicity test procedures, show that older PV modules have more potential for the hazardous characteristic of toxicity due to the use of substances of concern, such as lead in solders and hexavalent chromium in coatings. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules could have hazardous characteristic of toxicity due to the cadmium; Gallium arsenide (GaAs) modules due to arsenic; Thin film modules, such as copper indium gallium selenide (CIS/CIGS) modules due to copper and/or selenium. 

The hazardous waste characterization process is outlined on the Defining Hazardous Waste web page.

A PV module waste is determined to be a hazardous waste if the waste exhibits the hazardous waste characteristic of toxicity. U.S. EPA requires the use of the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) to determine if a waste exhibits the characteristic of toxicity under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In California, the hazardous waste characteristic for toxicity is determined by the Total Threshold Limit Concentration (TTLC) and Waste Extraction Test (WET) and Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration (STLC) values. Analytical testing results are required to make this determination.  

For more information on how to classify hazardous waste, please see the Defining Hazardous Waste web page.

The threshold concentrations for both the federal and California hazardous waste characteristic of toxicity are identified in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 23, article 3, section 66261.24. 

Universal waste regulations apply to PV modules that exhibit the hazardous waste characteristic for toxicity. The handler is required to perform a hazardous waste determination, through analytical testing or generator knowledge, of the PV module waste and manage it based on that determination. A generator may decide to assume that waste PV module is hazardous without making hazardous waste determination and manage the waste as universal waste. 

As a reminder, PV modules can only be managed as universal waste in California. Once the waste is transported out of California, the waste must be managed according to respective local and state laws and regulations.  

Households are encouraged to contact their local HHW facility to check to make sure the facility accepts PV modules prior to taking the waste to the facility. The transportation limits for households self-transporting their modules to HHW collection facilities, which are 50, 125, or 220 pounds, may make it impractical to utilize HHW collection facilities as a means for households to dispose of the PV modules. 

Alternatively, you can call a PV module universal waste handler to come and pick up the modules or request that your PV module installer take the old modules with them. PV module UW handlers can be found on our List of Universal Waste Handlers that Accept PV Modules (Solar Panels) web page. 

If a household transports its modules to a HHW facility, then the household is exempt from the chapter 23 requirements but must still comply with HHW requirements found in article 10.8, starting with section 25218, of the Health and Safety Code.  

If the PV modules waste can’t be taken to the HHW facility for disposal, DTSC recommends speaking with your new installer regarding removal and disposal of the modules. 

Components that are connected to PV modules and can be manually separated from a PV module without breaking the PV module glass are considered to be ancillary components. The ancillary components are a part of the PV system, but not a part of the PV module. In a PV system, examples of ancillary components include, but are not limited to, a junction box, battery, inverter, and cable. Such components are not considered to be a universal waste PV module and are considered residuals that must be managed under respective laws and regulations applicable to them.  

Universal waste regulations apply to PV modules that exhibit the hazardous waste characteristic of toxicity. A hazardous waste determination can be made by either conducting analytical testing or using the generator’s knowledge of the materials used in the PV module. However, generators may elect to manage PV modules as universal waste without performing a hazardous waste determination. When a universal waste handler decides to discard the PV module waste, the handler is required to perform a hazardous waste determination on the waste and manage the waste based on that determination.   

For more information about generator requirements, please see our Generators web page.

If an electronic device has PV cells or modules integrated into the device, the device is considered an electronic device and must be managed as such. However, when the PV cells or modules integrated to an electronic device are removed from the device during disassembly activities, then the PV cells or modules would be considered treatment residuals of the electronic device and could be managed as universal waste PV modules.  

If a waste has integrated PV cells or modules and is not an electronic device, such as a solar backpack, then the waste could be managed as a universal waste PV module. 

No, a PV module is not considered to be an electronic device; they are considered distinct and different waste types. If an electronic device contains PV cells or modules and functions as an electronic device, then the device is considered to be an electronic device and can be managed as an electronic device under universal waste management standards. DTSC’s link for universal waste management of electronic devices is located here. 

PV modules are a separate waste category under the universal waste standards and are prohibited from being commingled with other universal wastes, such as electronic devices, due to the need to comply with the specific requirements associated with each waste stream. Universal waste PV modules must be placed at a designated area and labelled clearly with the phrase “Universal Waste-PV module(s)”.  

Transportation requirements for universal waste PV modules are the same as those of other universal wastes (see Chapter 23 or Universal Waste Fact Sheet). Additionally, universal waste transporters that transport more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of PV module waste at one time must contain the waste in order to prevent potential breakage and spillage to the environment.  

Universal waste management requirements for transporting universal waste PV modules are specified in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 23 article 5. 

Universal waste handlers are required to contain PV modules in a manner that prevents breakage and release of any constituent of a PV module to the environment during transport and storage. Universal waste requirements are not specific in the manner in which PV modules must be contained, but examples of containment include placing PV modules in a bin or placing them on a pallet and shrink wrapping that pallet.  

Containment requirements during transport and storage are meant to protect the environment and human health by preventing harmful PV module constituents from potentially leaching into soil or water. 

Universal waste containment requirements for PV modules are specified in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 23, section 66273.33.6. 

The authorized treatment allowed for PV modules under universal waste regulations are similar to treatment activities for the existing universal wastes, such as electronic devices and cathode ray tubes (CRTs). 

DTSC considers authorized treatment activities to mean activities as specified in article 7, chapter 23, division 4.5, title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, which consist of: 

• removing discrete assemblies during normal use and operation of PV modules as specified in section 66273.71,  

• dismantling of PV modules without intentionally breaking the PV module glass as specified in section 66273.72, and  
• processing PV modules by intentionally breaking the PV module glass as specified in section 66273.73.  

PV modules that are accidentally broken during the course of normal handling activities are considered to be unintentional breakage and thus are not considered to be a treatment activity under article 7, provided handlers comply with the containment requirements for PV modules in section 66273.33.6. 

Use of chemicals, including water, or heat to treat hazardous waste PV modules are not authorized under universal waste regulations because these activities could alter the chemical composition of the materials and pose a higher risk to human health and the environment.

To conduct these treatment activities in California would require authorization, such as the authorization provided through a hazardous waste treatment permit from DTSC.  If you are interested in learning more about tiered permitting in California, please visit the DTSC Permitting Division web page.

Treatment residuals are what parts remain after treatment activities are conducted on PV modules. Treatment residuals are no longer considered a PV module as they do not meet the regulatory definition of a PV module. 

PV module treatment residuals are managed based on the waste classification of the residuals. For example, if the residuals are metal frames, then they can be managed as scrap metal. If the treatment residuals are disposed of after treatment activities, a hazardous waste determination must be made to determine the proper management standards for the residuals.  

Universal waste management requirements for PV module treatment residuals are specified in California Code of Regulations, division 4.5, title 22, chapter 23, article 7, section 66273.75(c).

PV module treatment residuals must be contained based on the waste determination made for those residuals. For example, if the residual is determined to be hazardous, it will need to be contained following the generator standards for hazardous waste containment to prevent any release to the environment. If the hazardous residual is released to the environment, it must be cleaned up immediately. The exception is residual printed circuit boards, which have their own requirements.  

Requirements for containment of PV module residuals are specified in California Code of Regulations, division 4.5, title 22, chapter 23, article 7, section 66273.75(b).  

Universal waste handlers are required to immediately clean up any PV module or PV module constituent(s) if the module is accidently or unintentionally broken, in order to prevent release of potentially hazardous constituents to the environment. Broken pieces must be cleaned up and properly packaged/containerized as to minimize the potential release. Containers shall be structurally sound and prevent releases under reasonably unforeseeable conditions. When using a spill kit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Universal waste management requirements for PV modules that are unintentionally broken are specified in California Code of Regulations, title 22, division 4.5, chapter 23, article 3, section 66273.33.6. 

Intentional breakage of a PV module is considered a treatment activity, as specified in article 7 of chapter 23 in the California Code of Regulations. Therefore, handlers must comply with treatment requirements if PV modules are intentionally broken.  

Notification and annual reporting are two different reporting requirements under universal waste regulations.  

The notification is a one-time event for handlers of PV modules that intend to accept or anticipate accepting PV module waste from generators or other universal waste handlers. The notification is required for each location a universal waste handler accepts, accumulates, or treats PV modules as universal waste. The notification must be submitted to DTSC in writing 30 days prior to accepting universal waste PV modules. This notification only occurs one time. 

An annual report is required to be submitted every year to DTSC for universal waste handlers that accept more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) or generate more than 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds) of universal waste PV modules in a calendar year. An annual report must be submitted to DTSC, in writing, by February 1 of the following year for the prior calendar year that you handled universal waste PV modules. 

Notification and annual reporting forms are available to download from DTSC’s PV Modules – Universal Waste Management Regulations web page for the convenience of the universal waste handlers. Handlers can use the forms from DTSC’s webpage or could use handler’s own forms that contain the required information and submit the forms in writing.

The notification requirement applies to any business that plans to collect and handle universal waste PV modules (and become a universal waste handler). This notification is only required one-time, 30 days prior to the first acceptance of PV modules.

If a business does not intend to collect universal waste PV modules, it is the responsibility of the business to inspect and reject the load and ensure that incoming loads do not contain wastes that the facility is not authorized to accept, including hazardous wastes, pursuant to title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 20870(b).

Universal waste handlers are only required to report the types of PV modules handled in the notification and annual reports if that information is known. If the universal waste handler does not know what types of PV modules they handled in the prior year, they do not need to report that information.

The notification requirement applies to any handling facilities, including warehouses and distribution centers, that will collect and handle universal waste PV modules. These requirements do not apply to homeowners unless they are in the business of accepting PV modules and universal waste.

If the universal waste handler accepts more than 100 kilograms (or 220 pounds) of PV modules waste in a calendar year, then the handler is required to submit an annual report by February 1 of the following year.

If the universal waste handler generates more than 5,000 kilograms (or 11,000 pounds) of PV modules waste in a calendar year, then the handler is required to submit an annual report by February 1 of the following year.

The annual report is not required for households and businesses that generate small quantities, no more than 100 kilograms (or 220 pounds), of PV modules in a calendar month as described in 40 Code of Federal Regulations section 261.5.

At this time, notification and annual reporting can be done in writing only. The forms can be found on our PV modules – Universal Waste Management Regulations web page. The notification and annual report forms are submitted to the following address:

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

Notification and annual reporting requirements for universal waste PV modules are specified in section 66273.32 of chapter 23, division 4.5, title 22 of California Code of Regulations.

Universal waste handlers are required to complete notification and annual reporting for each handling facility separately, even if these facilities are owned/managed/operated by one entity. This is because the quantity and types of universal waste each facility handles, where the waste is transported and management practices could be different among the facilities and therefore, they are required to report separately.

Once a universal waste handler decides to discard universal waste PV modules, the wastes become subject to all hazardous waste regulations. The handler is required to perform a hazardous waste determination on the waste and manage the waste based on that determination. If the waste is hazardous, it must be disposed of as hazardous waste using full hazardous waste standards.

Requirements for universal waste PV modules disposal are specified in section 66273.72 of chapter 23, division 4.5, title 22 of California Code of Regulations.

There are no regulatory exclusions or exemptions specific to PV modules. DTSC added PV modules to California’s universal waste regulations, which are a less stringent alternative management standard than for fully regulated hazardous waste.

Households cannot intentionally break up PV modules because such breakage is considered a treatment. We recommend that households contact the local HHW facility to see if they will accept them.

Alternatively, you can call a PV modules Handler to come and pick up the modules or request that your PV module/solar panel installer take the old modules with them.  PV module handlers can be found on our List of Universal Waste Handlers that Accept PV Modules (Solar Panels) web page.

When a household decides to dispose of the PV modules, the household becomes the generator of the waste PV modules

Breaking up PV modules into small pieces for any reason is considered a form of “treatment”. Under universal waste regulations, universal waste handlers are required to notify DTSC of authorized treatment activities prior to conducting them, 30 days in advance. Treatment activities that use heat or chemicals are not allowed under universal waste regulations and will require a form of authorization from DTSC.

If the household breaks up the modules, they become the generator of the waste PV modules and must manage the waste similar to what a business would be required to do:

1. The generator may make a hazardous waste determination of the waste, through analytical testing or generator knowledge of the materials in PV modules.

• If the PV module waste is determined to be a hazardous waste, the generator may manage the waste according to full hazardous waste regulations. The generator may take the waste to a universal waste handling facility or HHW disposal facility that accepts PV modules; or
• The generator may manage the waste as universal waste in lieu of full hazardous waste management standards.

Under universal waste regulations, the generator of the waste PV modules has the option to manage the waste as universal waste without making a hazardous waste determination. The generator may take the waste to a universal waste handler that accepts the waste as universal waste. When universal wastes are disposed of, they must be disposed of as hazardous waste.