Closing the loop: Australia’s PV stewardship & recycling
Smart Stewardship
Recycling Renewables for a Sustainable Tomorrow
The Smart Energy Council’s Stewardship Team is shaping the future of Australia’s clean energy sector—beyond installation, into recovery, reuse, and recycling. From leading the nation’s first solar panel and battery recycling pilot in Queensland to driving national policy and industry standards, we’re laying the groundwork for a circular economy that minimises waste, recovers valuable resources, and keeps renewable energy truly renewable. Our work ensures clean energy doesn’t end in landfill—and that every solar panel and battery installed today is part of a sustainable system tomorrow. This mission is only possible with the backing of our members. Your support enables us to advocate, coordinate, and lead on stewardship policy that benefits the entire industry and protects the planet. Together, we’re powering clean energy with a conscience.
Explore our resources
SEC Policy Position
Our policy position outlines clear, actionable pathways to boost reuse, recycling, and local circular economy solutions – ensuring Australia maximises resource recovery, safeguards the environment, and supports a thriving clean energy sector.
Government Policy & Programs
We have made life easy by collecting all government and industry websites with useful information on consumer energy policies, rebates and more in one easy place!
SEC Stewardship Survey
Smart Energy Council (SEC) seeks important insights from Industry on product stewardship to inform how the Council advocates for and progresses the stewardship conversation while ensuring value is delivered to Members. The survey is an opportunity to have input into the direction of stewardship for the renewable energy sector and is estimated to take between 10-15 minutes.
Stewardship – Reuse & Recycle working group
SEC Stewardship Community
Chair: Darren Johannesen – Executive General Manager – Sustainability, Smart Energy Council
- Recycler Roundtable.
- Reuse Roundtable & Working Group.
- Logistics Working Group.
- Designing a national stewardship scheme to tackle solar PV recycling challenges.
- Fostering industry capacity through collaboration and problem-solving.
- Attracting critical investment to scale sustainable solutions.
Stewardship – Reuse & Recycle events
Renewable Sector Stewardship Enablers
- 07/10/2025
- 10:30 am
- Event Time AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time)
Solar Panel Reuse
- 21/10/2025
- 1:30 pm
- Event Time AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time)
Solar recycling & material end markets
- 26/08/2025
- 10:30 am
Stewardship – Reuse & Recycle latest news
Explore other industry sectors
Consumer Energy
Empowering households and businesses with access to affordable, efficient, and renewable energy solutions.
Large Scale Renewables
Driving investment in utility-scale solar, wind, and storage projects to accelerate the transition to 100% renewable energy.
Smart Installers
A program for solar and battery professionals providing training, certification, and industry best practices.
Smart Transport
Supporting policies that drive investment in EV infrastructure and fuel efficiency standards.
Smart Metals & Gases
Focusing on decarbonising Australia’s critical minerals, green hydrogen, and renewable gas industries.
Stewardship
Championing stewardship, reuse, and recycling initiatives to ensure lifecycle management of solar panels, batteries, and other renewable technologies.
International
Partnering globally to support investment, trade, and collaboration to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.