Australia’s new $5.5m Solar Panel Stewardship pilot has kicked off with the launch of 15 PV panel recycling, reuse, and recovery sites.
These sites will be built across Queensland, financed by the Queensland government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund.
The pilot has partnered with the Smart Energy Council (SEC) and will begin with collection sites Capalaba and North Lakes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville. Nine more locations will be announced in the future.
On the news, Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni says: “By turning old solar panels into valuable resources, Queensland is powering up the circular economy, helping to build jobs, innovation, and a cleaner future.
“Not only do solar panels make renewable energy, but now they’re renewable themselves.”
The companies taking part are Sydney’s Rexel, and Queensland’s Resolarcycle and Solar Shift.
Local and national scale
In two regions, local councils are set to collect household solar panels. In response, SEC Chief Executive, John Grimes, explained that the pilot has encouraged investment in PV panel recycling. He adds:
“More than five recycling companies have already indicated they’ll be entering the market in Queensland.
“The recycling ecosystem is a critical part of securing the renewable energy transition into the future and provides insurance against future material limits like copper and silver.”
Leanne Linard, the Queensland Environment Minister, commented that the pilot marks a step towards a best-practice recovery scheme for panels, as the Australian government works to keep the solar industry renewable at all points. She says:
“I am heartened by the strong interest in the pilot from recyclers and local councils and I look forward to the pilot’s successful completion and a full evaluation so we can apply what has been learnt to a permanent scheme.”
The pilot will test the ease and feasibility of collecting solar panels, reusing, and recycling them for residences, businesses, and solar farms.
The Queensland Renewable Energy Industry Association grant will fund the scheme.
