Solar panels

The solar market is growing rapidly, and with it increasing demands for responsibility, traceability and regulatory compliance. For companies selling solar systems, this not only represents a business opportunity, but also a long-term producer responsibility.

El-Kretsen offers a safe, simple and cost-effective overall solution for both electrical equipment and batteries.

Who needs to affiliate?

Companies that place solar panels or other electrical equipment, such as inverters and surge protectors, on the Swedish market are covered by producer responsibility. This applies to manufacturers, importers and companies that sell products under their own brand. Foreign companies can use El-Kretsen as a authorised representative to fulfill their obligations in Sweden.

In Sweden, batteries are also covered by producer responsibility under the Battery Ordinance. You are therefore considered a producer if you import or sell energy storage or complete systems that include batteries.

What rules are there related to solar panels and producer responsibility?

Solar panels are considered electrical equipment and are subject to producer responsibility under the EU WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and Swedish law (SFS 2022:1276). This means that companies that place solar products on the Swedish market are responsible for ensuring that the products are collected and recycled when they become waste. Producers also need to register with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and report the amount of products placed on the market.

What can El-Kretsen offer producers of solar panels?

By joining El-Kretsen, producers of solar panels can receive support in fulfilling parts of their producer responsibility. El-Kretsen offers a nationwide system for the collection and recycling of used solar panels and other electrical equipment, in collaboration with municipalities and recycling operators throughout Sweden. Producers also receive support with reporting to authorities, administration and advice on legislation – so that they can focus on their core business while meeting applicable environmental requirements.

What are the costs?

Producers are financially responsible for collection, transport, recycling and reporting. For solar panels and other electrical equipment, these costs are paid through El-Kretsen, including affiliation and administration.

For batteries and energy storage, fees apply according to the Battery Ordinance via approved battery collection systems. Producers can use El-Kretsen as a producer representative to simplify the process.

Laws and regulations

Solar panels and other electrical equipment are covered by the EU’s WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive. The directive has been implemented in Sweden through producer responsibility for electrical equipment (SFS 2022:1276), which means that producers are responsible for ensuring that the products are collected, recycled and reported to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

Batteries and energy storage are covered by the Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542), which is supplemented by Swedish law (2025:813). Producers are responsible for collection, recycling and reporting via approved systems.

Foreign producers can use El-Kretsen as a authorised representative to meet Swedish requirements without establishing their own Swedish company.