Federal environment Minister Sussan Ley has used a National Press Club speech to issue a warning to Australia’s solar industry to get cracking on an industry-wide approach to recycling PV panels which, she said, loomed as “a landfill nightmare.”

Many scrap panels are ending up in landfill or are stockpiled waiting for recycling operations to function. And as a matter of fact at this time there aren’t any significant amount of actions taken for recycling of panels.

Solar panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years if they are of good quality. Not all panels installed in Australia meet the standards, meaning some are of inferior quality. A little research and connecting with a specialist can help in the long run. In several cases, solar panels in good working conditions are also removed to install the ones with new technology. 

Australia’s solar radiation is the highest in the world. Every year Australia is setting new records in generating power through solar energy. Australia installed its highest ever number of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in 2020, according to Clean Energy Regulator data analysed by energy efficiency experts from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. And the numbers are set to only grow further.

In October 2020, CEC initiated a public hearing invitation – based on waste management and recycling, it welcomed the opportunity to provide a response to the inquiry of waste management and recycling of wind turbines and solar PV panels, conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources.

Why aren’t Australians recycling solar systems?

The problem is the recycling industry is still not booming as Australia is still in a situation where most of the offices and homes are setting up their rooftop systems. Also, most of the systems have still not reached the end of their life. 

Lotus Energy in Melbourne and Reclaim PV in Adelaide are the two recycling businesses currently operating in Australia. Anyone in the country can mail their panels to those businesses, but at their own expense to recycle them. 

It is the people of Australia that have to decide to be more environmentally mindful. Installing quality panels and choosing the right system can save money and resources. Choosing a system that would last for years can save the environment and bills both. 

Call us today on 1300 274 737 and speak to our experts to book just the right system for your property.