Senate backs study and funding mechanism for end‑of‑life solar panel disposal

The Utah Senate passed a substituted House Bill 323 establishing an initial program to study solar panel end‑of‑life disposal and creating a modest funding mechanism to cover the study and early program costs. Sponsor Senator Bridal explained that the bill does not immediately impose broad disposal fees but instead funds a study to determine which panels contain toxic materials and what disposal mechanisms will be needed.

Senator Bridal said the bill will "begin to develop a program around end of life for solar panels," including an installer‑agreed funding mechanism to pay for the study (small residential installations $10, larger installations a higher fee) and an eventual legislative decision on whether to establish ongoing disposal fees. The sponsor clarified on the floor that normal landfill disposal remains allowable now and that penalties would apply only for illegal dumping; the bill primarily sets up study funding and a future legislative decision point.

Senators asked about consumer costs, fee levels, and what would happen to homeowners with damaged panels; sponsors said the fee schedule for the study was negotiated with installers and stressed that the legislature would set any future disposal fees based on the study’s findings. The bill was circled once to obtain additional answers and later passed; sponsors noted DEQ participation and that a future legislature will determine any required disposal fees and the mechanics for reuse or recycling.

The substituted measure passed on roll call and will be sent to the House for signature; sponsors said they would return with details from the agreed study and from DEQ rulemaking if needed.