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April 15, 2026 Clouds | 76°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.550 194th (Current)

An Act relative to solar and battery decommissioning and recycling

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 550) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to a statewide plan for the management of solar panels and batteries. Environment and Natural Resources.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
Joanne M. Comerford
Solar panels typically last between 25 and 30 years, and they contain metals and chemicals like silicon, cadmium, copper, and lithium. Massachusetts is counting on solar and battery facilities to help meet its renewable energy goals and emission reduction requirements, but does not have a plan for decommissioning or recycling this infrastructure. This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection, in collaboration with the Department of Energy Resources, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, and a stakeholder working group, to develop a statewide plan with preferred methods for managing solar and battery end-of-life processes, including reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and procedures for the disposal of any hazardous waste. The bill also tasks the working group with considering whether any fees on installers or manufacturer take-back programs are needed to help decommission and recycle retired systems. The plan must be updated at least every 10 years, and the plan must be posted publicly on the department’s website.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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