Solar panel manufacturers ready to take back higher share of modules

Solar panel manufacturers are ready to commit to take back at least 85 per cent of the end-of-life photovoltaic modules arising in Europe, according to a draft revised environmental agreement published by the photovoltaic industry's take-back organisation PV Cycle. The revised agreement was drawn up by the organisation in response to a negative evaluation report issued by the EU Commission in February 2011. The EU body had criticised that earlier version of the environmental agreement, a voluntary commitment initiative put the forward by PV Cycle, as inadequate, citing unambitious collection targets as well as its financing mechanism among other aspects. Through their initiative the PV Cycle members hope to avert inclusion of their products in the WEE Directive scope.