SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International) says that the R2 Technical Advisory Committee is considering a formal proposal to add photovoltaic (PV) panels to the R2 Standard.
The R2 Standard is focused on the effective recycling of electronics products. SERI anticipates incorporating PV panels into the standard would require at least two years of development, public review and comment, and revision before it would be adopted.
“The PV industry is extremely progressive,” said SERI executive director Corey Dehmey. “With much foresight, they took the initiative to create a sustainable plan for when solar panels are removed from use. There are hundreds of R2 Certified facilities in 33 countries around the world who currently do, or could relatively easily, add PV panels to their service offering. We see this as a great way to quickly build reuse and recycling infrastructure for the environmentally sound management of PV panels.”
A workgroup of 24 volunteers from the solar industry met over six months to assess the suitability of including PV panels in the current version of the R2 Standard.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
First EPD covering PVC water and wastewater piping published
Benchmarks impacts of seven PVC pipe products across their life cycles.
Office Buildings | May 18, 2015
New ASHRAE standard offers test method to determine heat gain of office equipment
The standard will aid engineers in configuring cooling systems in office buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Widespread damage from Nepal earthquake due to poor implementation of building code
Nepal’s code author says destruction was ‘inevitable.’
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Lavish residential skyscrapers prompt concern over shadows
New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston among cities grappling with height regulations.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Several states moving to repeal prevailing wage laws
Anti-prevailing wage bills that apply to state-funded construction projects have been passed in West Virginia and Nevada. Similar laws could be passed in Indiana and Illinois.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
New OSHA rule aimed at protecting construction workers in confined spaces
The agency says the rule will protect about 800 workers a year from serious injury.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
Colorado House kills construction defects bill
The legislation would have made it harder for condo owners to sue builders.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
New energy efficiency program, Tenant Star, gets OK from Congress
The voluntary program for commercial and government buildings is modeled after Energy Star.
Smart Buildings | May 1, 2015
FEMA to require states to evaluate risks posed by climate change
The aim is for states to do a better job planning for natural disasters they are likely to face in a warming world.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
Department of Energy asks for feedback on cost-effectiveness of building energy codes
DOE’s RFI wants input on how to improve methodology on cost assessment.
