The disposal is financed by the advance recycling contribution (ARC) that end customers pay when purchasing PV modules. This contribution is paid to SENS eRecycling via manufacturers and installers. SENS coordinates the proper disposal and compensates collection points, transporters, and recyclers. The service is free of charge for installers – the ARC covers all the costs.

In the SENS recycling system, the disposal is funded through a pay-as-you-go system. The financing of the system therefore only works as the current volumes of installed photovoltaic systems continue to outweigh by far the volume of spent materials and therefore allow the fund to continue to grow from year to year.

You can easily register here as a new customer.

As soon as you are registered as a SENS partner, you can place collection orders in our SENS portal. A transporter collects the PV modules directly from you or at the place of disassembly – a straightforward process available throughout Switzerland. Alternatively, spent PV modules can be handed in free of charge at one of over 630 SENS collection points.

The minimum amount for which you can place a collection order in the SENS online portal is one pallet. Smaller quantities can be returned at any SENS collection point. If you would like to take larger quantities to a collection point yourself, please contact the collection point in advance to ensure it has sufficient storage capacity.

The PV modules must be palletised flat on a base that is suitable for the corresponding weight. Detailed information can be found in the information leaflet or in this article. 

No. For recycling purposes, the PV modules should be as intact as possible. This ensures the maximum amount of recyclable materials can be recovered.

No. The PV modules must be delivered as described in the information leaflet. This enables efficient and safe transport.

The installation and removal of photovoltaic modules should always be carried out by a professional. For this reason, only installers and manufacturers can become SENS partners and make use of the industry solution. As a private individual, you have the option to drop off your PV modules at a collection point.

The photovoltaic modules are recycled in neighbouring countries, in Germany and France. This is because the volumes in Switzerland are currently too low to justify a specialised system. The abrasive glass requires special processing techniques. The PV modules are therefore collected by Swiss partners and taken abroad for further processing. The modules are handed over exclusively to certified recycling companies that hold a SENS licence and are subject to regular inspections.

Around 80% of the materials contained in PV modules can currently be reused. In the recycling process, glass in particular is recovered as a high-quality main component and processed for new applications. Other valuable materials such as aluminium, copper, iron, silver and silicon are also almost completely extracted and returned to the raw material cycle – for example, in smelting plants or as a basis for new products.

You will find here a list of all ARC partners affiliated with SENS eRecycling.

SENS eRecycling is responsible solely for the recycling of solar panels. Other providers, such as SecondSol provide solutions for the reuse market.