Rooftop solar waste is growing. Some experts say $10 fee per panel could help

• Australia is facing a growing solar panel waste crisis, with only 17 per cent of panels currently being recycled despite one in three homes having solar installations.
• The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering has proposed a national recycling scheme funded by a $10 to $20 fee per panel collected at the time of installation.
• While the federal government is planning a national recycling pilot program for 2026, experts warn that the high costs of transport and logistics may exceed the funds generated by the proposed fees.

Australia’s rapid adoption of renewable energy has created a looming environmental challenge: a massive influx of decommissioned solar panels. To address this, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has proposed a national recycling scheme funded by a small surcharge of $10 to $20 per panel at the time of installation. While this fee aims to provide a sustainable solution for waste management, some experts warn that the high costs of transport and logistics could still outpace the funds generated.

The scale of the issue is significant. Australia currently leads the world in per-capita solar adoption, with one in three households sporting rooftop panels and approximately 300,000 new systems being installed every year. Despite this enthusiasm for green energy, the infrastructure for disposing of old equipment has lagged behind. According to the Productivity Commission, a mere 17 per cent of solar panels are currently recycled, leaving the vast majority to end up in landfills.

During a recent parliamentary inquiry, ATSE Acting CEO Peter Derbyshire emphasized the need for a “product stewardship” framework. This model would shift the financial and logistical responsibility for a panel’s entire lifecycle onto the manufacturers, importers, and consumers who benefit from them. Although the federal government identified solar panel management as a national priority back in 2017, a formal framework has yet to be established.

Progress on a national level remains slow. While Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced a pilot program for solar recycling scheduled to begin in mid-2026, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water recently confirmed that the procurement process for the program is not yet complete. Despite these delays, government officials maintain they remain committed to the initiative.

The urgency of the situation continues to grow as Australia generates roughly 60,000 tonnes of solar panel waste annually. Without a robust, self-sustaining recycling industry, experts fear the nation is on the brink of a waste crisis that could undermine the environmental benefits of the solar revolution.

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Original article and photo by "ABC News"