The Queensland Government has officially launched Australia’s leading solar panel recycling, reuse and recovery pilot, in partnership with the Smart Energy Council.
The program will deliver solar panel recycling across the state, and guide better practice in the renewable energy sector by improving industry engagement with communities.
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The Solar Panel Stewardship program includes six solar panel collection sites across the state—Capalaba and North Lakes in greater Brisbane, along with the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville. A total of 15 locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
The product stewardship pilot is designed to test the feasibility of collection, re-use and recycling for solar panels from homes, businesses and solar farms, ensuring a significant reduction in landfill.
The program plans for the future, and will inform the creation of a national stewardship scheme.
The trial will also incorporate two regional ‘legacy runs’ in which local councils will gather household panels for pickup, and installers and importers with accumulated stock are included in the collection.
Participating in the pilot are solar industry firms Rexel, Resolarcycle, and Solar Shift. The Smart Energy Council is working closely with local councils in the rollout of this program.
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Queensland Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Mick de Brenni said, “Queensland is leading the way in rooftop solar penetration, and now we’re the leaders in the recycling of those systems too.
“By turning old solar panels into valuable resources, Queensland is powering up the circular economy, helping to build jobs, innovation, and a cleaner future.”
