Photovoltaics

Japan Cabinet Approves Bill to Promote Recycling of Solar Panel Waste

Japan's Cabinet has approved a new bill mandating the recycling of solar cell waste, with implementation expected within 18 months of promulgation. Manufacturers and large-scale operators must prepare for mandatory eco-design requirements, substance disclosure, and formal disposal planning to mitigate waste risks.

6 Apr 2026, 18:54meti.go.jpJapan

Oregon Enacts HB 4031 Exempting Certain Renewable Energy Facilities From EFSC Siting Certificates

Oregon has enacted HB 4031, establishing a time-limited exemption from state-level energy facility siting requirements for renewable projects through 2028. Developers can now utilize streamlined local permitting to accelerate project timelines and secure federal tax credits, bypassing the more rigorous EFSC certification process.

3 Apr 2026, 17:57olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Australia Parliament Committee Holds Hearing on Solar Panel Reuse and Recycling

Australia’s Parliament has commenced public hearings for a national inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling to manage escalating end-of-life waste. This inquiry is likely to catalyze new regulatory frameworks for resource recovery and circularity, impacting market access and producer responsibility for the solar industry.

2 Apr 2026, 17:29aph.gov.auAustralia

U.S. Commerce Initiates AD/CVD Administrative Reviews Covering Sodium Nitrite and Other Products

The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated administrative reviews of antidumping and countervailing duty orders for various products, including sodium nitrite from India, with final results expected by February 2027. Affected importers and manufacturers must meet strict procedural deadlines in Q2 2026 to contest or preserve duty rates, directly impacting supply chain costs and market competitiveness.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33federalregister.govUnited States

Delaware Senate Introduces SB270 on Portable Solar Generation Devices

Delaware has introduced SB 270 to regulate portable plug-in solar devices, mandating specific safety certifications (UL/IEEE) and utility registration by January 2027. Manufacturers must ensure hardware compliance with anti-islanding and electrical safety standards to access the Delaware market under these streamlined interconnection rules.

28 Mar 2026, 20:31legis.delaware.govUnited States

Delaware SB 270 Proposes Framework for Portable Plug-In Solar Generation Devices

Delaware SB 270 proposes a regulatory framework to exempt small-scale plug-in solar devices from utility interconnection approvals while mandating technical safety compliance. This signals a shift toward consumer-led distributed energy, requiring manufacturers to ensure device alignment with IEEE and NEC standards by 2027.

28 Mar 2026, 20:29legis.delaware.govUnited States

Connecticut Senate Files 2026 Environment And Energy Bills With Legislative Commissioners’ Office

Connecticut has advanced a legislative package proposing new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for solar panels and vapes alongside workplace heat-safety standards. Companies should monitor these developments as they signal a shift toward broader producer accountability for specialized waste streams and stricter climate-related labor protections.

28 Mar 2026, 18:39cga.ct.govUnited States

HSE/BSR Consultation On Changes To Approved Document B Fire Safety Guidance In England

The UK Building Safety Regulator has launched a consultation on significant updates to Approved Document B fire safety guidance in England, closing June 17, 2026. These changes will tighten restrictions on combustible materials in external walls and introduce new requirements for evacuation lifts and PV panel installations, impacting building design and material procurement.

27 Mar 2026, 18:37consultations.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK Government Confirms Future Homes and Buildings Standards for New Builds in England From 2027

England will implement the Future Homes and Buildings Standards from March 2027, requiring all new developments to be "zero-carbon ready" via low-carbon heating and solar power. Businesses must overhaul building specifications and supply chains to accommodate mandatory heat pump and renewable energy integration while navigating specific timelines for higher-risk buildings.

26 Mar 2026, 19:31qna.files.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

UK Government Confirms 2027 Future Homes And Buildings Standards For New Buildings In England

The UK Government has finalized the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, mandating "zero carbon ready" requirements for new developments in England starting in 2027. Developers and construction product manufacturers must accelerate the transition to low-carbon heating and on-site renewables to meet strict new efficiency and emission reduction targets.

26 Mar 2026, 19:30qna.files.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan Cabinet Approves Bill to Amend Electricity Business Act on Transmission Expansion and Solar PV Safety

Japan's Cabinet has approved a bill to amend the Electricity Business Act, focusing on grid expansion and enhanced safety oversight for solar photovoltaic (PV) infrastructure. Businesses should prepare for mandatory pre-construction conformity assessments for PV structures and increased regulatory cooperation requirements regarding equipment defects.

26 Mar 2026, 19:15meti.go.jpJapan

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4859 Would Remove SADC Pre-Approval for Renewable Energy on Farmland Preservation Exception Areas

New Jersey is proposing to eliminate the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) pre-approval requirement for renewable energy projects on preserved farmland exception areas. This procedural shift aims to accelerate the deployment of solar, wind, and biomass infrastructure by reducing administrative hurdles for developers operating in agricultural zones.

26 Mar 2026, 19:13njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

United Kingdom Implements Future Homes Standard and Plans Plug-In Solar Rules

The UK has implemented the Future Homes Standard for new builds and announced plans to legalize sub-800W 'plug-in' solar panels by updating wiring and distribution codes. Housebuilders must prepare for mandatory low-carbon heating and solar by 2028, while electronics manufacturers and retailers gain a new market for consumer-grade solar products subject to upcoming safety standards.

26 Mar 2026, 19:11gov.ukUnited Kingdom

New Jersey Assembly Proposes Exemptions For Portable Solar Generation Devices From Interconnection And Net Metering Requirements

New Jersey has introduced Assembly Bill A4836 to exempt portable solar generation devices from complex interconnection and net metering rules while updating the state's construction code. This proposal aims to reduce regulatory barriers for small-scale solar adoption, though manufacturers must monitor upcoming construction code amendments for new technical and safety standards.

26 Mar 2026, 19:09njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

European Commission Publishes 'Headwinds and Springboards for EU Industry' Brief

The European Commission’s March 2026 brief identifies energy-intensive sectors and supply chain dependencies as critical vulnerabilities for EU industrial competitiveness. Businesses should anticipate a more interventionist EU industrial policy focused on securing critical raw materials, scaling clean-tech manufacturing, and streamlining regulatory burdens.

26 Mar 2026, 12:19single-market-economy.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

California SB 868 Plug and Play Act — Senate Hearing on Portable Plug-In Balcony Solar Devices

California’s "Plug and Play Act" (SB 868) advanced through the Senate Energy Committee in March 2026, moving closer to establishing a formal regulatory framework for portable balcony solar devices. Manufacturers should prepare for mandatory alignment with UL 3700 and NEC standards as California seeks to standardize safety and grid integration for consumer-grade plug-in solar equipment.

26 Mar 2026, 12:13leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Ohio SB 383 Would Exempt Portable Plug-In Solar Generation Devices From Utility Interconnection Requirements

Ohio Senate Bill 383 proposes to exempt portable, plug-in solar generation devices under 1,200 watts from utility interconnection requirements and approval fees. This move simplifies market entry for consumer-grade solar products by removing utility-level barriers, provided devices meet specific safety certification standards.

22 Mar 2026, 13:24search-prod.lis.state.oh.usUnited States

Iowa Senate Proposes Amendment S-5109 to SF 2447 on Wind and Renewable Facility Siting and Liability

Iowa has proposed a significant tightening of statewide siting and liability standards for wind, solar, and battery storage facilities through Amendment S-5109. If enacted, these changes will increase development costs, expand legal liability for project stakeholders, and restrict available land for new renewable energy installations.

21 Mar 2026, 19:24legis.iowa.govUnited States

Basque Country Issues Strategic Environmental Declaration For Renewable Energies Territorial Sector Plan (PTS)

The Basque Country has published the Strategic Environmental Declaration for its Renewable Energies Territorial Sector Plan, setting binding zoning for wind and solar development. This framework provides immediate certainty on project siting through designated "Selected Location Zones" while imposing strict exclusion criteria to manage cumulative environmental and visual impacts.

19 Mar 2026, 19:35euskadi.eusSpain

European Commission Impact Assessment for Industrial Accelerator Act on Low-Carbon and “Made In EU” Industrial Products

The European Commission has released its impact assessment for the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, outlining new low-carbon and "Made in EU" requirements for strategic industrial sectors. Manufacturers should prepare for mandatory EU-content and carbon-intensity thresholds in public procurement and subsidy schemes, signaling a shift toward localized, decarbonized supply chains for steel, batteries, and clean tech.

19 Mar 2026, 15:28single-market-economy.ec.europa.euEuropean Union