The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has launched a national research hub to advance solar panel recycling.
The EUR 3 million initiative targets Australia’s growing photovoltaic (PV) waste stream. The Australian Research Council Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability marks the country’s first dedicated effort to build a circular solar economy.
Trade minister Matt Thistlethwaite attended the opening ceremony on 22 April and applauded those responsible for bringing together researchers, policymakers and industry partners.
Building a circular solar value chain
Australia’s annual solar panel waste is expected to reach 100 000 tonnes by 2030. As installations age, pressure is mounting to develop scalable recycling solutions.
‘As we accelerate towards a net-zero future, we must ensure the technologies enabling that transition are themselves sustainable,’ says Bronwyn Fox, deputy vice-chancellor research and enterprise at UNSW.
She asserts that the hub will help transform end-of-life panels into valuable resources, supporting both circular economy goals and domestic supply chains.
From waste to resource
The research programme focuses on recovering high-value materials and the teams are also developing improved sorting and separation technologies.
‘End-of-life solar panels contain many valuable materials like glass, silicon, silver and copper,’ says hub director Yansong Shen. ‘Our goal is to move these panels away from landfill and towards recycling in a circular economy where materials are recovered and reused.’
Eco-design strategies to make panels easier to recycle include redesigning components and improving material traceability.
The Government also sees an economic potential. ‘The stakes are real,’ comments Thistlethwaite. ‘If we get this right, there will be less landfill, new domestic supply chains for current materials, a more resilient energy sector.’
As solar capacity expands, countries are increasingly moving to ensure recycling infrastructure keeps pace.
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