Recently, Japan's JPEA (Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association) announced "Guidelines for Relevant Information That Facilitate Proper Disposal of Waste Photovoltaic Modules" (the "Guidelines"). The main content is as follows.
The guideline firstly introduces the big background from three aspects of industry, law and realistic demand.
1. Industrial sector: The installed capacity of PV power plants in Japan has increased significantly with the implementation of Japan's FIT system (purchase of photovoltaic power at fixed prices by power companies) in 2012. These PV plants will be dismantled and scrapped after their life expectancy has been reached Can successfully carry out scrap processing, for the PV power plant core components - PV modules now need to do related preparations now, NEDO (Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) and other institutions are positive Proceed with the development of photovoltaic module recycling technology.
2. Legal aspects: In the law relating to waste disposal and cleaning, the organization that produces industrial waste clearly stipulates that the organization responsible for the disposal of waste must be provided with the necessary information to facilitate the proper disposal of waste .
3. Realistic Needs: The actual survey released by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in September 2017 shows that many local governments, industrial waste disposal agencies, etc., require PV-related companies to disclose the necessary information online so that they can properly dispose of photovoltaic waste.
Focus on obsolete old components
Based on this, the JPEA Association developed and published "Guidelines."
PV module manufacturers and distributors may disclose the chemical substances contained in the PV modules in advance according to the guidelines, and organizations in lower reaches of the industry may refer to such public information to properly dispose of the waste.
The Guidelines include five sections:
1. Scope of application: PV modules shipped to Japan (regardless of the type of cell), but does not include ancillary equipment such as brackets, inverters, switchboards, power metering devices, batteries, etc.
2. Objectives: To instruct relevant enterprises (PV module manufacturers, import distributors, etc.) to provide reference information to affected organizations and local governments responsible for the disposal of waste PV modules for environmentally harmful chemicals in PV modules public.
3. Terms and Definitions: The PV module is divided into 4 parts: 1. Bezel, 2. Set screws, 3. Lead 4. Encapsulation section.
4. Types and thresholds of chemical substances requiring information disclosure: Pb, Cd, As, Arsenic, Se, the maximum value of the standard: 0.1wt%
5. The way of information disclosure: Relevant enterprises are required to disclose information on their respective websites and provide specific ways and means.
In response to such issues as global warming and energy self-sufficiency, the Japanese government has implemented a FIT system for renewable energies in 2012 to increase the number of photovoltaic power plants. JPEA hopes that the PV module manufacturers and importers can use Good guidelines, immediately start to consider the power station demolition, scrap the stage of work, take appropriate action to eventually achieve the final disposal of waste.
As we all know, Japan in the field of new energy sources, environmental protection, many ideas, technologies, are in the world's leading ranks as the new energy photovoltaic industry, how to deal with after the product life cycle, Japan has also been in advance of attention and proceed from the system , Legislation, technology and other aspects to prepare for future problems of all kinds.
Although this guideline is not a mandatory official document, nor does it provide an obligation for enterprises to disclose information, the guidelines give more reasonable suggestions and believe many Japanese practitioners will adopt it. Many PV companies in Japan have Larger business volume, we must also pay attention to this matter.
On the one hand, we can learn from the experience of Japan's industries; on the other hand, we also remind domestic photovoltaic manufacturers that in the future when photovoltaic products are exported to Japan, they need to cope with the relevant policies.
