France's collection of photovoltaic waste increased significantly from 366 tons in 2015 to 4,905 tons in 2019. Although there was a decline from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it reached 5,207 tons in 2023 and surged to approximately 9,477 tons in 2024.

Currently, the only non-profit PRO authorized by ministerial decree to manage photovoltaic waste is Soren, giving it a monopoly position in France's photovoltaic waste management. There are 9 collection centers nationwide responsible for gathering waste before transporting it to designated processing facilities.

Currently, there are three authorized processing facilities:

1.Gallo France (Northern France): A specialist in black and non-ferrous metal recycling. Since 2021, it began recycling photovoltaic components using crushing/grinding processes followed by multiple separation techniques (aluminum frames and junction boxes are pre-dismantled) to recover copper and glass.

2.ENVIE 2E Aquitaine (Southwest France): Part of the ENVIE network. Its dedicated 2021 recycling line features automated pre-dismantling units (for frames/junction boxes) and delamination units using thermal blade technology. Output materials are sent elsewhere for further processing. The facility also has a reuse-dedicated line for component testing and diagnostics. ROSI Solar processes materials from ENVIE 2E Aquitaine.

3.ENVIE 2E Midi Pyrénées (Southwest France): Also ENVIE-affiliated, mainly pre-dismantling components (frames/junction boxes) before sending them to other recycling facilities.

Components identified as cadmium telluride waste are sent to First Solar's German recycling plant.