An exciting new chapter in Australia’s solar power industry will start shortly, with the Albanese Government establishing a national solar panel recycling pilot.
Smart Energy Council (SEC) Chief Executive John Grimes welcomed the Government’s announcement as further evidence of the Government’s commitment to supporting renewables – the cleanest, cheapest form of energy.
“Australians love solar, because it gives them energy independence and the lowest cost source of power generation. But, the 10 million who go to sleep beneath panels each night want to know that they’ll be recycled once they reach end-of-life, or are upgraded,” he said.
“Four million panels are being decommissioned each year, but only a fraction of those are being recycled. We know the government wants to see that change and we support it – the industry stands ready to fix the problem.”
“A national solar stewardship scheme will drive innovation, new domestic industries, manufacturing, and jobs. All principles that underpin the Albanese government’s Future Made in Australia policy agenda.”
The SEC’s Executive General Manager Sustainability, Darren Johannesen, said the recovery of solar PV panels represents a more than $7 billion opportunity to bolster the nation’s critical mineral resource security.
“Solar panels are not a waste problem, rather a critical resource,” he said.
“They contain precious materials like silver, copper, aluminium, silicon and high grade glass, commodities critical to our clean energy shift.”
“The IEA is predicting a 30% shortfall in the supply of copper from primary sources by 2035, urban mining provides the key solution to this looming supply problem.”
“Implementing a national stewardship scheme, which we hope and expect will follow the pilot, will trigger an urban-mining boom, and a new wave of smart energy investment in jobs and growth.”
The announcement follows a decade of SEC advocacy on the issue, with over 60 organisations signing a joint statement calling for a scheme in September, 2025. The pilot is also expected to build on learnings from the Smart Energy Council’s solar panel recycling pilot conducted over 2024/25 in Queensland, with support from the state government.
“Backing for a circular economy by the Treasurer, Climate Change and Energy Minister, and Environment Minister, is testament to this government’s commitment to decarbonisation of our energy sector and the development of smart energy technologies,” Mr Grimes said.
Ends.
Media contact: Tim Lamacraft – tim@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
