Collective implementation of the take-back and recycling obligation for end-of-life PV panels: Experience of the European system

Abstract

Despite the fact that the first flow of end-of-life (EoL) PV panels is expected by 2020, by 2014 producers and manufacturers will have to comply with the different national requirements for take-back and recycling PV modules on the markets where they are active imposed by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Directive. PV CYCLE, founded in 2007, implements the PV industry's commitment of collecting and recycling their EoL PV panels. As a non for profit organization, PV CYCLE was a proactive initiative of the manufacturers to create a pan-European collection system to reduce administrative burdens and to make use of economies of scale. Considering the change in the legal framework of the EoL PV panels, the PV CYCLE's aim is to adapt the scheme to be WEEE compliant in its complete geographical scope. Today, with more than 230 companies' member of PV CYCLE, it represents more than 90% of the European PV market.