Recycling solar panels is becoming a pressing issue for Australia as its rooftop solar boom continues its trajectory. Millions of panels will retire in the coming decades, and managing this waste responsibly is equally important for the environment and the economy. Proper disposal supports a circular economy by recovering valuable materials like aluminium, glass, silicon and copper, avoiding potential environmental harm from landfills. It also aligns with Australia’s goals for sustainable waste management and renewable energy aims.
Why is Solar Panel Recycling Important
Environmental Impact of Solar Waste
As solar panels reach end-of-life, they become electronic waste that could burden landfills. By 2035, Australia is projected to accumulate over 1 million tonnes of retired panels. Discarding panels waste the resources they contain and reduces opportunities to cut emissions. For example, recycling just one tonne of panels can avoid about 1.2 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions. Recovering metals and glass also reduces the need to mine new materials. By keeping panels out of landfills and back into production, we prevent pollution and greenhouse gas output, all while conserving resources.
What Materials Can Be Recovered
Solar panels are mostly made of glass, aluminium, silicon, and various metals, almost all of which can be reclaimed. In fact, about 95% of a panel’s material is technically recyclable, including aluminium, glass, silicon, silver, copper, indium and germanium. The frame is aluminium, the largest share by weight, while the wafer inside is silicon, and there is a glass covering.
Specialist recyclers strip the frame and junction box and process the glass, often recovering trace silver and copper. Panels also contain polymers and small amounts of tin or lead solder. Modern recycling technologies can separate these layers, enabling silicon and glass recycling so that those materials can be reused in new products
Long-Term Benefits for Australia
In the long run, a strong solar panel recycling system pays off. Recovering metals and glass supports local manufacturing and cuts import dependence. One study estimates that Australia will have 34.6 GW of panels reaching end-of-life by 2045, representing roughly $167 billion worth of materials if reused. Capturing even a fraction of that value will bolster the economy and jobs in the recycling sector. Moreover, effective recycling keeps Australia at the centre of clean energy innovation and aligns with our circular economy goals. Turning discarded panels into raw material again helps conserve finite resources and reduces the carbon footprint of solar power itself.
Solar Panel Disposal Regulations in Australia
At the federal level, solar panels are currently on the verge of being included in Australia’s e-waste laws. The Product Stewardship Act 2011 empowers the government to regulate the disposal of electronics, but to date, panels have not been mandatory for e-waste. However, in 2023, the government consulted on a new national scheme for “small electrical products and solar photovoltaic systems”.
This proposed product stewardship scheme, aligned with international obligations, would likely make panel makers responsible for end-of-life recycling. If adopted, it could shift recycling costs from consumers to producers and require manufacturers to fund collection programs.
The Department of Climate Change is also redesigning the existing National TV & Computer Recycling Scheme to include PV systems by late 2025. In short, Australians should expect solar panels to be officially classified as e-waste soon, with new rules taking effect by 2025 or shortly after.
State and Territory Waste Bans
Regulation of solar waste also occurs at the state level. Victoria is currently the only state to explicitly ban solar panels from landfills. Under its Environment Protection Act, it’s been illegal to tip panels in Victoria since 2019. South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have broad bans on e-waste in landfills, which cover panels in practice. Western Australia has begun phasing in e-waste laws and is expected to outlaw panel dumping in future phases.
Other states do not yet have specific solar panel bans, so panels can still legally go to landfills in those jurisdictions. It’s wise to check local regulations, even where landfill isn’t banned, it’s usually cheaper but environmentally harmful and may become prohibited soon.
Upcoming Mandatory Recycling Schemes
The push is on to establish mandatory recycling for old panels. Experts have outlined roadmaps calling for a mandatory stewardship scheme by 2025. Likewise, industry reports note that a formal requirement to collect and recycle end-of-life solar equipment is imminent. Taken together, these national and international measures mean solar panel recycling in Australia will likely become compulsory in the coming years, with strong government support and funding for recycling infrastructure.
Also Read: How to Recycle Old computer
How to Prepare Solar Panels for Recycling
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Solar Panels
Solar panels typically produce power effectively for 25–30 years. You might consider replacing panels sooner if their output has fallen significantly or if they have physical damage. If an accredited installer detects a fault and the panels are under warranty, replacement may be free.
Otherwise, if your solar output is very low despite clean panels and maintained inverters, it’s reasonable to plan for end-of-life disposal. In any case, resist the urge to replace panels without cause, as they may still have usable life. If unsure, get a professional performance check. A few percentage points of loss each year is normal, but steep drops indicate end-of-life.
Safe Removal by Accredited Technicians
Always hire a qualified electrician or an accredited solar installer to remove old panels. Solar panels carry live DC power and are often on high roofs, so unauthorised removal is dangerous. A certified installer will safely disconnect the array, avoid damaging the panels and other equipment, and comply with electrical regulations.
Proper removal also preserves as much of the panel’s material as possible. For instance, installers are trained to carry whole panels off a roof without cracking them, because intact panels yield purer recycled materials. After removal, the installer or retailer can arrange transport of the old panels to a recycler or drop-off site.
Handling Batteries and Inverters
In addition to the panels themselves, solar systems include inverters and batteries that need disposal. Inverters are considered normal electronic waste. You can usually drop them off at an e-waste recycling point run by your council, or recycle them through scrap metal collectors or your installer.
Batteries are treated as hazardous waste because they contain concentrated chemicals. Do not remove battery units yourself. Instead, contact the battery’s manufacturer or a certified installer to advise on safe disposal. They may arrange a hazardous waste collection. Both inverters and batteries should be transported with care and kept separate from panels if possible since batteries can be more tightly regulated.
Packaging and Staging Panels for Transport
Once safely removed, solar panels should be stored and moved carefully to avoid damage. Keep panels flat or propped on the edge with padding, and always cover sharp corners or edges. Mark the panels clearly, so handlers know they contain solar cells. Don’t attempt to remove parts like frames or glass panes by yourself. The recycling facility will handle panel dismantling.
If you are arranging a drop-off or pickup, coordinate with the recycler on how to package them. Some recyclers can supply crates or pallet wrap, while others accept panels laid flat. Regardless of the method, store panels in a dry, secure place until they can be transported to the recycling centre.
Where to Recycle Solar Panels in Australia
Local Council and Drop-Off Programs
Recycling options vary by location. Some local councils hold special e-waste drop-off days where you can deposit solar equipment, though panels are heavy and bulky, so check ahead. Not all councils accept panels.
In practice, local government resource recovery centres that take e-waste may or may not have facilities for panels. If your council doesn’t accept them, they should still provide advice or refer you to a specialist. In states like Queensland, dedicated panel recycling plants are opening and councils there may redirect you to those facilities.
Certified Solar Panel Recycling Australia Services
Because councils are often limited, most homeowners and businesses recycle panels via specialist services. Australia has several certified e-waste recyclers and solar recyclers that handle panels. When choosing a recycling service, look for certified e-waste recyclers that provide traceable recycling records and operate under environmental permits.
Nationwide Pickup Options
Some recycling companies offer pickup or nationwide logistics. The Smart Energy Council has even run a PV Solar Stewardship pilot where participating installers could drop off panels at designated recyclers, with some companies arranging collection.
In general, to recycle on a wider scale one can arrange a bulk pickup or freight of panels to a recycling center. Contact your installer or directly approach a solar recycler for pickup quotes. They may ask you to package and palletize the panels for shipping.
How Solar Panels Are Recycled – Step-by-Step
Collection and Sorting
Recycling begins with collecting panels from drop-off points, installers or manufacturers. When panels arrive at the recycling facility, they are first assessed. Good-condition panels or modules may be resold or donated for reuse in less demanding settings.
Damaged or outdated panels proceed to material recovery. Companies often sort panels by type because the materials vary. The panels are then staged for processing, with frames and junction boxes that might be manually removed first.
Disassembly and Material Separation
Next is the panel dismantling process. In large facilities, whole panels go through automated lines that strip off the aluminium frames and separate the sandwich of layers. Some advanced systems mechanically peel apart each layer sequentially.
Australian recyclers currently recover the frame and electronic wiring, shred the glass, and separate other bulk materials. Recovering the silicon wafers themselves is more difficult, but research is underway to improve that step. The recycled glass and metal are sent to existing glass and metal recyclers, while wiring and soldering are sent to metal recovery.
Recovery and Reuse of Components
Finally, the extracted materials are turned into new products. Pure recycled glass from panels can become new glass or be upcycled into “solarcrete” for construction. Aluminium frames are melted and reused in metal products. Copper and silver from cells and wires are refined for electrical uses. If any cells remain intact, these wafers could eventually be reprocessed for solar-grade silicon or other electronics.
In this way, the loop is mostly closed. Recovered materials flow back into the industry, reducing the need for mining and extending the value of the original investment in solar panels.
Cost of E Waste Recycling vs. Landfill Disposal
Typical Recycling Fees in Australia
Recycling solar panels does incur a cost, which is generally higher than just throwing them in a landfill. Industry sources estimate recycling at roughly $10–$30 per panel. These fees cover collection, dismantling and processing by specialists. Because recycling is several times more expensive than tipping, many consumers delay or avoid recycling without regulation. However, fees may decline as more recycling facilities open and economies of scale improve, especially once national schemes are in place.
Risks of Illegal Disposal
Choosing landfill or worse, illegal dumping, carries serious risks. First, it wastes all the reusable material and harms the environment. Second, it could be illegal, and illegal disposing of e-waste can result in fines under state or federal laws. Moreover, there are emerging regulations, so non-compliance will be prosecuted. The safest approach is to use certified e‑waste recyclers, so you stay ahead of regulations and help build legitimate recycling demand.
Economic and Environmental ROI
Recycling solar panels also brings returns. Studies show significant value can be recovered, with one Australian report estimating $22.6 worth of materials per average panel. More broadly, recovering panels could effectively add up to 17% more renewable capacity by 2035 if reused. Reusing end-of-life panels could boost Australia’s solar infrastructure without installing new panels, offsetting some generation costs.
Environmentally, recycling saves energy and water compared to making new materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, every dollar spent on recycling yields multiple dollars of societal benefit through saved emissions and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I recycle my solar panels?
First, have your panels safely removed by a licensed electrician or accredited installer. Then ask that professional or your solar retailer to deliver the old panels to a certified e‑waste recycler
. Many solar installers partner with recyclers and can take the panels away for you. Otherwise, contact a solar recycling service like Cyber Recycling to arrange pickup or drop-off.
Are solar panels hazardous waste?
Most modern panels contain only trace amounts of non-toxic metals like copper and silver. Less than 5% of Australian panels have small quantities of toxic cadmium or selenium. As long as intact panels are handled properly, they aren’t classified as hazardous in the way batteries or chemicals are. Even so, it’s best to treat them as electronic waste.
Can I take the panels to my local recycling centre?
In most cases, no drop-off recycling does not accept whole solar panels. Check with your local council as only a few centres currently collect them, usually by appointment.
What about inverters and batteries?
Inverters can be recycled like any electronic waste. Most local council e-waste drop-offs accept them, or you can hand them to a scrap metal collector. They often contain valuable metal and plastic that recyclers recover. Solar batteries, on the other hand, must be handled as dangerous goods. Contact the battery manufacturer or a qualified installer for disposal.
How much does solar panel recycling cost?
Costs vary, but expect around $10–$30 per panel. According to industry standards, recycling averages about $28 per panel in Australia or $20–$40, depending on volume.
What are the legal rules in my state?
Regulations differ by state. Currently, only Victoria has an outright landfill ban on solar panels. South Australia and the ACT ban e-waste generally, which covers panels. Western Australia is phasing in a landfill ban. NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and NT do not yet ban panels from landfills, but all are expected to adopt tougher e-waste rules soon. Regardless of your state, it’s wise to recycle panels now to stay ahead of the law.
Conclusion
Recycling solar panels is a key part of Australia’s transition to truly clean energy. By recovering panels safely, we avoid dumping valuable materials and protect the environment. Anyone replacing or removing a solar system should plan ahead and start by engaging with qualified installers, consulting local e-waste regulations, and using certified e‑waste recyclers. This closes the loop and allows old panels to become new resources, strengthening Australia’s circular economy for energy.
Cyber Recycling offers professional solar panel recycling Australia services. We coordinate accredited drop-off and pickup options so that panels, inverters and batteries are handled according to all national and state e-waste regulations. With the help of a specialist like Cyber Recycling, ensure your end-of-life solar gear is disposed of responsibly, giving you peace of mind while helping protect the planet and the economy.
