PFAS are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been used in industrial applications for decades due to their heat resistance and resistance to moisture. They are more common in the solar panel industry than many project developers and installers realise. For organisations working on large-scale commercial rooftop installations whilst simultaneously pursuing serious sustainability targets, checking for PFAS-free solar panels is no longer a secondary concern. It is an integral part of responsible procurement and future-proof project planning.
The question of how to identify and verify PFAS-free solar panels is not always easy to answer. Manufacturers are not always transparent about the exact material composition of their panels, and the relevant regulations are constantly evolving. This article offers practical guidance for anyone wishing to check for PFAS in solar panels and make informed choices when selecting sustainable PV modules.
PFAS are found in solar panels in places that are not immediately obvious. The most common source is the backsheet – the rear side of a panel that protects the sensitive electrical components from moisture, UV radiation and mechanical stress. Many manufacturers use fluoropolymers such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) or PTFE in this layer because of their excellent barrier properties.
In addition, PFAS may be present in the encapsulant – the material that encases and protects the solar cells – and in certain coatings on the glass surfaces of traditional panels. PFAS are also used as process chemicals in the manufacturing processes of some manufacturers, which is not always apparent from the final product specifications. This makes verifying that PV modules are PFAS-free more difficult than verifying other material properties.
The most reliable way to verify whether a panel is PFAS-free starts with the product documentation. A comprehensive and transparent technical data sheet lists the materials used for each component, including the backsheet and encapsulant. If this information is missing, that in itself is a sign that you should ask for further details.
Certifications offer additional assurance, but require some understanding of what they do and do not cover. IEC standards such as IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 test the safety and performance of panels, but do not specifically address chemical composition. More relevant in this case are REACH declarations (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS declarations of conformity, which provide insight into the presence of hazardous substances. You should also ask for a full Bill of Materials (BOM) or a material declaration that explicitly confirms the absence of PFAS.
A growing number of innovative manufacturers are offering digital traceability systems that provide insight, on a panel-by-panel basis, into the materials used and their origin. Tools of this kind, similar to the C_passport® that Solarge links to each panel, make it possible to track material flows and demonstrate a PFAS-free composition. This type of documentation is increasingly becoming a requirement for ESG reporting and sustainability audits.
Good documentation starts with asking the right questions. Not every manufacturer proactively provides information about the chemical composition of its products, but a reputable supplier will be able to provide specific answers to targeted questions.
Ask each supplier the following questions:
A manufacturer that is unable to provide clear answers to these questions, or that refers to general certifications without specific material information, fails to offer sufficient transparency for projects where sustainability and compliance are key considerations.
A fundamentally different approach to PFAS in solar panels is to opt for a panel type that does not contain PFAS by design. Polymer-based solar panels, developed using thermoplastic technology, do not use glass, aluminium or fluoropolymers. Their material composition is therefore different from that of conventional glass modules right from the outset.
Solarge has developed its SOLO and SOLO Ultra Low Carbon panels based on this principle. These panels contain no PFAS and are fully recyclable, which not only reduces the chemical impact throughout their lifespan, but also eliminates the disposal issues at the end of their life. As the 50% panels are lighter than traditional glass modules, they are also suitable for roofs that cannot support the load of conventional installations. For large-scale commercial rooftop projects, this offers a combination of technical and sustainability benefits that is difficult to match with standard glass modules.
Opting for sustainable polymer-based solar panels is therefore not only an environmental choice, but also a strategic choice for projects where PFAS-free status must be demonstrable.
Regulations concerning PFAS have been significantly tightened in Europe in recent years, and this trend is set to continue in 2026. The European Union is working on a broad PFAS restriction under REACH, which would ban or severely restrict a large number of fluorinated compounds. This has direct implications for the production and use of solar panels with fluorinated backsheets or coatings.
For project developers and installers who are currently investing in large-scale installations with an expected lifespan of 25 years or more, this poses a serious risk. Panels that meet current standards today may no longer comply with stricter requirements in a few years’ time, raising questions about warranties, reuse and end-of-life disposal. By opting for PFAS-free PV modules now, this regulatory risk is avoided in the long term.
In addition, an increasing number of clients and financiers are making it a condition that projects demonstrably comply with ESG criteria, including the use of substances featured on European restriction lists. Being PFAS-free is therefore not merely a technical specification, but a business selection criterion that carries increasing weight in the tendering and financing of commercial solar energy projects. Those who make the right choices now when selecting materials are building a portfolio that is sustainable in the long term.
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