How to Dispose of Solar Panels

Unwanted solar panels have items that can be collected by the city and items that cannot be collected.
Please check the following content and take appropriate action.

Items that can be collected by the city

Independent Solar Panels

• Portable types that can be used for leisure or during disasters, as well as small ones that can be installed in gardens or balconies.

(Example) Foldable type solar panels, solar panels for garden solar lights, etc.

Garbage Classification

The classification is divided based on the size when the solar panels are deployed.

• Those with a long side less than 50cm and weight less than 5kg when deployed ⇒ Non-burnable garbage: Please put it in the designated garbage bag and dispose of it.
• Those with a long side of 50 cm or more when deployed or a weight of 5 kg or more ⇒ bulky waste: Please make a reservation for bulky waste collection before disposing of it.

Disposal Methods and Precautions

(1) Please dispose of the solar panels after applying appropriate treatment to ensure that light does not hit the light-receiving surface.
　When discarded solar panels generate electricity, there is a risk of causing unexpected accidents.
・Foldable type... Fold the panel and secure it with tape or similar so that it does not open.
・Others... Wrap the parts including the light-receiving surface with paper, cloth, etc. to block the light, and label the outside as "Solar Panel".

(2) For solar panels with batteries connected or built-in, please remove the batteries from the panel.
　Please dispose of the removed batteries on the designated "Hazardous Waste" collection day. However, some types of batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, may not be collected or processed by the city, so please check carefully.

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Items that cannot be collected by the city

1. Items installed on roofs or on the ground
2. Objects Integrated with Buildings
3. Concentrated type
4. Items with built-in or connected rechargeable batteries

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(Reference) Types and Characteristics of Solar Power Generation Equipment Installation

Type of Installation	Features
Roof-mounted type	Type installed on roofs of houses and buildings.
Ground-mounted type	Type installed on flat land. Mega solar is a representative example.
Integrated Building	A type that integrates solar cell modules with roofing materials and exterior wall materials of houses and buildings.
Concentrated Type	Solar power generation equipment that concentrates light using lenses or mirrors on small-area, high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells.
Independent Type	A small (portable) solar power generation kit that can be installed on balconies, etc.

^{Source: Created based on the "Guidelines for Promoting the Recycling of Solar Power Generation Equipment (Third Edition) (Ministry of the Environment)"}

 

^{Source: Decokatsu Website (https://ondankataisaku.env.go.jp/decokatsu/)}

^{Source: "Renewable Energy White Paper (2nd Edition)" (NEDO)}
 

^{Source: "Renewable Energy White Paper (2nd Edition)" (NEDO)}
 

^{Source: "Renewable Energy White Paper (2nd Edition)" (NEDO)}

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(Reference) Positioning of Used Solar Cell Modules under Waste Disposal Laws

Examples Corresponding to Industrial Waste	When solar cell module manufacturers, installers, power generation business operators, or reuse operators dispose of defective used solar cell modules as waste. When the owner (power generation business operator, residential owner) requests a demolition/removal contractor to dismantle and remove the used solar cell modules and dispose of them as waste, etc.
Examples Corresponding to General Waste	In cases where standalone solar cell modules, etc., are disposed of from general households without involving business activities such as dismantling or removal work.

^{Source: "Guidelines for Promoting Recycling of Solar Power Generation Equipment (Third Edition)" (Ministry of the Environment)}

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(Reference) Materials Regarding the Disposal of Solar Panels Classified as Industrial Waste

• For those considering disposal of residential solar power generation systems (Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association/JPEA webpage)(external link)
• Q&A on solar panel installation (Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Bureau) [PDF 5,820KB](external link)
• Guidelines for Promoting Recycling of Solar Power Generation Equipment <Third Edition> (Ministry of the Environment) [PDF 3,022KB](External link)

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