Public and Private Initiatives to Address Photovoltaic (PV) Module Waste in Japan

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Since the introduction of the feed-in-tariff (FIT) system in 2012, Japan has experienced a sharp increase in solar installations. Although Japan does not have PV-specific waste regulations, various efforts have been made to promote the proper end-of-life management of PV modules. In this article, we explore initiatives from Japan’s public and private sectors to address PV waste challenges.

Efforts by the Public and Private Sectors

In response to the rapid increase in solar installations following the launch of Japan’s feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme in 2012, various efforts have been made by both the public and private sectors to promote the sustainable end-of-life management of PV modules.

  • In December 2017, the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) released voluntary guidelines for its member companies—including manufacturers, importers, and resellers of PV modules—on disclosing the chemical materials contained in PV modules to facilitate proper end-of-life treatment1. Companies that disclose information in accordance with these guidelines are listed on JPEA’s website2. Additionally, JPEA compiles a list of companies with appropriate PV recycling capacities3.
  • The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has been leading PV recycling research and development (R&D) in Japan. In collaboration with the private sector, NEDO carried out a PV recycling technology development project from fiscal year 2014 to 2018. Its R&D focus included the development of low-cost PV disassembly and reuse technologies4 5.
  • In July 2021, PV CYCLE, a European non-profit organization providing PV waste management services, partnered with the Akita Prefectural Resources Technology Development Organization (Akita PRTDO) to establish PV CYCLE Japan, aiming to create a framework for sustainable end-of-life PV management in Japan6. Furthermore, in November 2022, Tohoku Electric Power, the chair of one of PV CYCLE’s Regional Collection Model Study Committees (Japanese: 地域収集モデル検討委員会), launched a Proof of Concept (PoC) project on PV reuse and recycling in Miyagi Prefecture7.
  • In November 2022, Itochu, a Japanese trading house, and ROSI, a French startup, formed capital and business alliances. Through these partnerships, Itochu aims to promote and expand the PV recycling business. ROSI is expected to launch a commercial recycling plant in France in early 20238.
  • In November 2022, the Japanese trading house Marubeni announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Sompo Japan Insurance and Sompo Risk Management to facilitate the appropriate reuse and recycling of used PV modules. Under this partnership, Sompo Japan Insurance will provide a defect warranty for secondhand PV modules that Marubeni plans to sell from fiscal year 2023 through its information management platform9.

Furthering PV Reuse and Recycling Efforts in Japan

Although Japan lacks a national legal framework for PV reuse and recycling, the issue of PV waste is gaining traction among both public and private sector stakeholders. As interest in sustainable end-of-life management grows, various initiatives continue to emerge. Explore our other articles to learn how different countries and regions are addressing the challenges of PV module waste.

References

  1. Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA), “Shiyouzumi taiyoukoudenchi mojyuru no tekisei shori ni shisuru jyouhouteikyou no gaidorain (dai ippan) [Guidelines for Information Disclosure to Facilitate Proper Treatment of End-of-Life PV Modules],” Dec. 2017. Accessed: Feb. 09, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.jpea.gr.jp/wp-content/themes/jpea/pdf/t171211.pdf ↩︎
  2. Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA), “Jyouhou teikyou gaidorain sandousha ichiranhyo [A List of Companies Supporting Information Disclosure Guidelines].” https://www.jpea.gr.jp/document/handout/member-list/ (accessed Feb. 12, 2023). ↩︎
  3. Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA), “Tekiseishori (risaikuru) no kanouna sangyouhaikibutsu chukanshorigyoushamei ichiran [A List of Intermediate Processors Capable of Proper PV Treatment (recycling)],” 2022. Accessed: Feb. 09, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.jpea.gr.jp/wp-content/uploads/220909_recycle.pdf ↩︎
  4. New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), “Taiyoukouhatsuden risaikuru gijyutsu kaihatsu purojekuto [PV Recycling Technological Development Project].” https://www.nedo.go.jp/activities/ZZJP_100070.html (accessed Feb. 09, 2023). ↩︎
  5. K. Komoto, “PV Recycling in Japan, IEA PVPS Task12: Industry Workshop,” Nov. 2018. Accessed: Feb. 11, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://apvi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Session-3-PV-Recycling-in-Japan-Komoto.pdf ↩︎
  6. PV CYCLE, “PV CYCLE and AKITA PRTDO create PV CYCLE JAPAN.” https://pvcycle.org/2021/07/01/joint-take-back-and-recycling-scheme-for-japanese-pv-market/ (accessed Feb. 09, 2023). ↩︎
  7. Tohoku Electric Power, “Shiyouzumi taiyoukou paneru no riyu-su, risaikuru suishin ni muketa gutaitekina torikumi kaishi nitsuite — PV CYCLE JAPAN ‘Chiiki shushu moderu kentou iinkai’ Miyagi de jisshou jigyou wo kaishi [Launch of Detailed Activities to Promote Reuse and Recycling of End-of-Life PV Panels — PV CYCLE JAPAN ‘Local Collection Model Assessment Committee’ to Start POC in Miyagi Prefecture].” https://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/1229789_2558.html (accessed Feb. 09, 2023). ↩︎
  8.  ITOCHU Corporation, “ITOCHU Announces Signing of Capital and Business Alliances with ROSI, a Solar Panel Recycling Business Operator.” https://www.itochu.co.jp/en/news/press/2022/221129.html (accessed Feb. 09, 2023). ↩︎
  9. Marubeni Corporation, Sompo Japan Insurance, and Sompo Risk Management, “Memorandum of Understanding for Appropriate Reuse and Recycling of Used Solar Panels.” https://www.sompo-japan.co.jp/-/media/SJNK/files/english/news/sjnk/2022/e_20221121_1.pdf?la=ja-JP (accessed Feb. 09, 2023). ↩︎

Author: Saki Kobayashi / 小林 さき