By 2035, Australia is expected to generate around one million tonnes of solar panel waste. This equates to around 50 million individual solar panels.
These panels contain valuable materials and minerals, like copper, silver, and aluminium. Recycling them can help with the renewable energy transition.
We're starting a national solar panel recycling pilot. This national project will inform a long-term recycling plan for solar waste to:
- reduce landfill
- recover valuable minerals
- complement the transformation to cleaner and cheaper energy.
This project is just one way we're ensuring the renewable energy transition is managed in a sustainable way.
Renewable, recyclable
As Australia continues this transition, the question of what we do with end-of-life renewable energy infrastructure will become increasingly important.
More than 95 per cent of a solar panel and more than 90 per cent of a wind turbine can be recycled.
But there is still a way to go to make sure this recycling potential is realised.
A recent Productivity Commission report into circularity in Australia's economy found there was scope to boost Australia's circular economy.
This could be through:
- better coordination
- regulatory design
- innovation.
Projects like our solar panel recycling pilot can help by generating evidence to inform the design of a nationwide scheme.
Industry is also making progress as it continues to innovate in renewable energy technologies.
Cutting edge innovation
Around 90% of materials found in wind turbines such as steel, copper and concrete are readily recyclable.
More challenging to recycle are the rotor blades, which are made of composite materials such as fibreglass, resin and carbon fibre. These are difficult and costly to separate and process.
Efforts are underway by manufacturers to address this challenge. A few examples of this are:
- Siemens Gamesa started producing 100 per cent recyclable wind blades for offshore wind usage.
- Vestas developing a new method to recycle old epoxy-based wind turbine blades. By using a new chemical process, they can break down epoxy resin into base materials to be reused.
- Acciona's Turbine Made initiative to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades into new, sustainable products like surfboards, street furniture, or infrastructure materials.
- several other manufacturers have pledged to produce zero waste wind turbines by 2030.
In 2023, the Australian Government awarded a $3 million grant to Industrial Property Maintenance and partners. They will use these funds to develop a new processing treatment and a pilot recycling facility for any type of wind turbine blade.
The DIY option
If you're in one of the 4 million Australian households with a solar system, replacing and recycling individual components can increase the system's lifespan.
Before recycling any solar system components, you will need to remove or replace them.
Hire a licensed electrician to remove or replace these components.
Look for a solar installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. They will know what to look for and will work safely.
