Australia is moving closer to a national scheme to manage solar panels from their start to end of life. Governments across the country have agreed to work on a product stewardship program for solar panels. This program aims to stop solar panels from ending up in landfill and instead promote their reuse and recycling.
NSW has taken a lead role by presenting a plan for a mandatory national scheme at a recent Energy and Climate Change meeting in Sydney. The state is also developing a similar program for batteries.
Solar panel waste in Australia is expected to almost double in five years. In 2025, waste is predicted to be around 59,340 tonnes. By 2030, it could reach 91,165 tonnes. Most waste will come from homes in cities. Large solar farms in regional areas will add to the waste after 2030.
Many solar panels are thrown away before they reach the end of their useful life. Often, they end up in landfill, stored without use, or shipped overseas. More than 95% of a solar panel can be recycled. Valuable materials like aluminium, glass, copper, silver, and silicon can be recovered and reused.
The Smart Energy Council says about one-third of solar panels could be reused. This reuse could add up to 24 gigawatts of energy by 2040. That amount of energy could power six million homes each year.
Energy Ministers agreed NSW will lead early work on a Regulatory Impact Statement. This draft report will help decide the best way to set up a national stewardship scheme. The scheme could support a recycling and reuse industry for solar panels and batteries.
The Commonwealth is also backing low-cost recycling technologies through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. This support aims to make solar product stewardship more affordable and practical for industry.
The Smart Energy Council stresses the urgent need to act. Millions of solar panels come off roofs each year, with less than 5% being recycled. A national pilot program is a key first step to keep the industry growing and guide future rules.
Experts also point out that a national solar panel stewardship scheme could create many jobs. Recycling and remanufacturing panels in Australia will keep work in the country. It will reduce the loss of valuable materials and cut the need to ship waste overseas.