Australia’s solar boom has been nothing short of legendary. We’ve installed over 100 million panels, making us a global solar leader. But there’s a catch. Behind the rooftops glinting with promise lies a growing pile of solar waste.
Every year, thousands of panels—some still working—are tossed into landfill. With more upgrades on the horizon, that figure is expected to climb rapidly. But one Aussie initiative is turning the tide. In episode 6 of Energy Matters, we spotlight Second Life Solar and their clever way of breathing new life into old tech.
Early government incentives kicked off a solar installation spree in the 2010s. Fast forward to today and many of those systems are due for replacement—not because the panels are dead, but because newer, flashier tech has arrived.
It’s estimated that over 100,000 panels are sent to landfill each year in Australia. Many still have usable life left. By 2047, we could see more than 1 million tonnes of solar panel waste, according to the Australian PV Institute. And without intervention, that waste will grow exponentially.
Replacing panels too early isn’t just wasteful—it’s expensive and environmentally damaging. We’re tossing out valuable materials like silicon, glass, and aluminium. And we’re missing a golden opportunity to do better.
Second Life Solar was created through a partnership between Blue Tribe, CSIRO, and Dubbo Regional Council. Their mission is simple: stop working panels from ending up in landfill and give them a second shot at generating clean energy.
It starts with their secret weapon—the PV Rapid Test Rig. Developed by CSIRO, this mobile unit can test a solar panel’s electrical and mechanical performance in under a minute. It’s cheap, quick, and accurate. Panels that pass are refurbished and fitted with a fresh warranty.
These revived panels are then redeployed into community energy projects, social housing, or small business setups. One standout success? Australia’s largest reused solar installation—a 100kW system at the Kurrajong Recycling Facility in Wagga Wagga. Dubbo Regional Council has also just installed a small 8kW system on the Small Vehicle Receival Centre at the Whylandra Waste and Recycling Centre. As Dubbo is the second largest region for residential rooftop installations in NSW, the council has set their eyes on reducing the inevitable waste that is to come from old panel removal.
Not every panel tested makes the cut. But that doesn’t mean they’re doomed for the tip. Second Life Solar works with recycling partners to recover and reuse valuable materials. Aluminium, tempered glass, and silicon are extracted and redirected into the supply chain.
It’s a full-circle approach that aligns with Australia’s circular economy goals. Nothing goes to waste if it can be helped.
There’s more to this story than recycling. By slashing the cost of solar panels, Second Life Solar helps get clean energy into the hands of people who need it most.
Refurbished panels are much cheaper than new ones, making them perfect for low-income households, regional communities, and community solar gardens. The initiative also creates local green jobs—technicians, electricians, and logistics crews all play a role.
That’s real-world impact. It’s not just about saving the planet. It’s about powering up communities, cutting bills, and building a fairer energy future.
Second Life Solar’s model works. But it needs scale. Australia needs more test rigs, more collection points, and more support for councils and installers to help move panels from rooftops to reuse hubs.
We also need better education. Many Aussies don’t realise their panels could be reused. Installers, property owners, and government departments need clear info and incentives to choose reuse over replacement.
Solar panels were made to power homes—not landfills. Second Life Solar is proving that with the right tech, partnerships, and passion, we can keep clean energy systems working harder, for longer.
The sun might set on a panel’s first life, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
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