S. 7789 - Solar Panel Collection Act Summary

• Requires solar panel manufacturers to establish and maintain collection programs for out-of-service solar panels, either individually or collectively with other manufacturers, effective July 1, 2017.

• Mandates solar panel wholesalers and retailers to participate as collection sites or obtain a waiver from the department, and prohibits them from selling panels whose manufacturers are not listed on the department's website.

• Requires manufacturers to conduct education and outreach efforts including maintaining a public website, contacting wholesalers annually, creating a web-based collection site locator, and developing informational materials for distribution to contractors and consumers.

• Mandates annual reporting by manufacturers to the department starting April 1, 2018, including the number of panels collected, participating collection sites, administrative costs, and outreach strategies employed.

• Prohibits transporters, incinerators, landfills, and transfer stations from accepting or commingling solar panels with solid waste, and requires all facilities to post signs indicating solar panels are not accepted; law expires January 1, 2027.