Scholar from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has outlined a 12-year plan to transform Australia’s end-of-life solar panels into raw materials for new solar modules.
The research, conducted in partnership with the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) and renewable energy developer Neoen, presents a vision for a self-sustaining circular economy in the solar industry.
Dr. Rong Deng, a Research Fellow at UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Engineering, emphasised that the challenge of solar panel waste is “a solvable problem”.
“The cell technology will change but, if we look at the module level, the material composition is pretty much the same in 40 years. For a panel, we have the aluminium frame, a junction box, we’ll have glass, we have silicon in the middle, and silicon will have some silver on it to conduct electricity.”
According to Dr Deng, current panels require less silicon and less silver compared to older panels. Deng’s report predicts that the materials extracted from one old panel will provide enough for three new panels.
“In five years, that waste reservoir can meet 30 per cent of our annual demand (for new solar module production). In 15 years, we can meet 50 per cent of our demand, and in 25 years, we can meet 100 per cent of our demand in Australia,” Deng said.
“In older panels, we used a very thick silicon wafer and lots of silver. And that’s why, in 25 years, we can achieve that 100 per cent circularity. That means by 2050 if we do everything properly, we do not need to dig anything from the earth. Our PV industry can sustain itself.”
Key findings from the report suggest significant economic potential:
By 2035, addressing technical challenges and establishing a circular solar recycling industry could generate over $1 billion in cumulative material sales revenue.
By 2050, Australia is projected to have 3 million tonnes of material from decommissioned solar panels.
Within 25 years, recycled materials from old panels could meet 100 per cent of the demand for new solar module production in Australia.
The study, supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through ACAP, benefited from Neoen’s financial backing and industry insights.
Lisa Steibel, Head of Communications at Neoen, said the company was impressed by the ACAP team’s expertise, flexibility and collegiality.
“ACAP has a strong team working on end-of-life management for solar panels and were keen to partner with industry. We wanted to develop and share knowledge that would be useful to the renewable and waste industries,” she said.
“The scoping study has provided us with a clear indication of the current state of solar panel recycling in Australia, and future opportunities. The ARENA support that ACAP secured for the project meant that it could have wider implications for future research.”
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