A recent meeting of the House Appropriations Committee highlighted significant discussions surrounding Senate Bill 5175, which proposes a delay in the implementation of a stewardship program for photovoltaic (PV) modules, commonly known as solar panels. This legislation, originally enacted in 2017, mandates that manufacturers take responsibility for the recycling and end-of-life management of their products.

The proposed bill seeks to extend the timeline for manufacturers to submit their recycling plans to the Department of Ecology, pushing the deadline to February 2025. This extension is crucial, as it would prevent a sales prohibition on non-compliant manufacturers from taking effect, which is set to begin in July 2025. The Department of Ecology estimates that the establishment of an advisory committee to oversee this transition will incur one-time costs of approximately $770,000, but it also anticipates savings of about $76,000 per biennium due to the delayed implementation.

Industry representatives voiced strong support for the bill during public testimony. Caitlin Borstelmann, a leader in the solar equipment supply sector, emphasized that without the bill's passage, manufacturers would be forced to halt shipments into Washington, jeopardizing thousands of solar projects and jobs. She noted that the state currently relies on solar installers to complete around 10,000 projects annually, and a sudden stop in supply could lead to a significant setback for the clean energy sector.

John Lang, a solar installation company owner, echoed these concerns, stating that the current recycling mandate, if enforced as written, would disrupt ongoing projects and threaten the viability of solar businesses in Washington. He highlighted the industry's commitment to responsible recycling practices and the need for more time to develop a comprehensive solution.

The committee's discussions also touched on the challenges faced by the industry in meeting the original recycling requirements, particularly the difficulty in identifying manufacturers and securing necessary permits. This has led to calls for a more collaborative approach to ensure the program's success.

As the committee moves forward, the implications of this bill could have lasting effects on Washington's solar industry, impacting job security and the state's clean energy goals. The next steps will involve further deliberation on the bill and its potential to reshape the future of solar panel management in the state.