In 2017, Washington passed ESSB 5939, the Solar Incentives Job Bill, the first law in the nation to require manufacturers to manage and finance the safe recycling of solar units at end of life, at no cost to the owner of the product. The stewardship requirement is part of larger bill that incentivizes solar unit ownership and creates solar jobs locally. The stewardship requirement states that manufacturers who sell solar units in the state of Washington after July 1, 2017, are responsible for financing and providing a recycling program for their units. Manufacturers who do not provide a recycling program cannot sell solar modules after Jan. 1, 2021.

On Jan. 4, 2018, the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) will host a webinar with solar stewardship experts. Northwest Product Stewardship Council member Sego Jackson of Seattle Public Utilities and legislative champion of the product stewardship section of the Solar Incentives Job Bill Representative Norma Smith will speak, along with solar panel recycler Advanced Technology and European solar stewardship organization PV Cycle. Register before January 4.