Australia invests EUR 15 million in solar panel recycling

Australia has unveiled a pilot to boost solar panel recycling, backed by EUR 15 million in public funding.

The Government expects the volume of solar panel waste to rise sharply, increasing from 59 340 tonnes in 2025 to 91 165 tonnes by 2030. Its funding over three years will establish up to 100 collection sites nationwide.

‘Only a small percentage of end-of-life solar panels are currently recovered for recycling,’ says environment minister Murray Watt. ‘Most panels are stockpiled, landfilled or exported for reuse.’

Watt says the materials are too valuable to discard. Recovered metals could support the clean energy transition and reduce landfill volumes.

Solar power

Australia is one of the world’s largest rooftop solar markets. More than one in three homes now has panels installed.

By the end of 2025, cumulative rooftop solar capacity reached 26.8 GW across 4.2 million households and small businesses. However, recycling rates remain low. Only 17% of end-of-life panels are recycled, according to the Productivity Commission.

Improving recovery could unlock up to EUR 4.5 billion in value. That includes avoided landfill costs and recovered metals such as copper, silver and aluminium.

‘Unsustainable burden’

The Productivity Commission highlights major opportunities for Australia’s circular economy. Better coordination, regulation and innovation could lift recycling outcomes significantly.

The federal government says it will consider the commission’s findings. It plans to work with states and territories on long-term solutions.

Local authorities have welcomed the pilot. The Australian Local Government Association says councils face growing pressure from solar waste volumes.

‘A national scheme will help manage an unsustainable burden on councils,’ says association president Matt Burnett. ‘Manufacturers and importers must share responsibility so ratepayers do not carry the cost.’