Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSPSustainability in PV – Why a Material Passport Is Needed
The material pass serves as a central tool for transparency, product safety, and the future-proof recycling of materials – particularly in the field of photovoltaic (PV) technology. Solar energy is inherently a sustainable form of energy generation. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, it is necessary to comprehensively optimize the use of the resources employed in its generation and all associated processes in terms of sustainability. Within the framework of national and international sustainability efforts, pressure is increasing on manufacturers, importers, and system operators through various regulations.
Efforts by the EU to promote a sustainable and resource-efficient economy include, for example:
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ESPR | Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation | The ESPR aims to reduce the ecological impacts of products, including photovoltaic modules, over their entire life cycle. It sets specific requirements for the design, production, and distribution of solar technologies to promote resource conservation, recycling, and a reduction in the carbon footprint. The Digital Product Pass is intended to serve as a central element providing information about products to support transparency and sustainable decision-making. |
| WEEE | Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment | The WEEE Directive (2012) or the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act has regulated the collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal of electrical and electronic waste in Germany since 2015. It requires manufacturers to finance disposal and the take-back of old devices. The aim is to minimize environmental impact from electronic waste and promote the recycling of valuable materials. PV modules are classified as household appliances, thus take-back obligations and financing are regulated (PV Cycle manages recycling). |
| REACH | Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals | REACH is a comprehensive chemical regulation that obliges companies to register, evaluate, and potentially authorize information on chemical substances. Its goal is to protect health and the environment by ensuring the safe use of chemicals. Additionally, hazardous substances are to be restricted or replaced. REACH imposes high demands on the declaration and traceability of pollutants – not only during product approval but also throughout the usage phase and in the subsequent recycling process. Relevant for PV are, for example, PFAS in some backsheets, Pb from solders, or Sb in glass. |
| CRM | Critical Raw Materials | The EU's CRM strategy identifies materials that are of strategic importance to the solar industry, such as silicon, indium, and silver. This strategy aims to reduce dependence on these raw materials by promoting recycling and sustainable sourcing practices. Additionally, the development of alternative materials is supported to ensure supply security for the photovoltaic industry. |
Other regulatory instruments, such as the regulatory proposal for the Energy Label for PV modules (EU Directive 92/75/EEC), the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC, and the Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 on Ecodesign requirements for energy-related products, which came into force in 2021, are becoming increasingly relevant for photovoltaic modules. These regulations include, among other things, mandatory minimum requirements for energy yield, reliability, recyclability, and carbon footprint. Challenges include the lack of an internationally standardized data collection and calculation methodology for the carbon footprint, as well as issues with data transparency and partly data availability.
