Check your rebate eligibility
Australia has installed over 100 million solar panels across more than 3.8 million rooftops. The vast majority of those panels are still working, but they will not last forever. The first major wave of panels, installed during the boom years of 2010 to 2015, will start reaching end of life in the early 2030s. By 2035, Australia could be dealing with 100,000 tonnes of solar panel waste per year.
The good news is that solar panels are highly recyclable. The bad news is that Australia's recycling infrastructure has not kept pace with installations. Right now, options for responsible disposal exist but are not always easy to find, and the rules vary by state.
This guide covers what to do with old panels, where to recycle them, whether selling second-hand makes sense, and how Australia is preparing for the solar waste wave ahead.
Check Your Rebate Eligibility
Enter your postcode to check rebate eligibility in your area.
Over 3.6 million homes already claiming rebates
What solar panels are made of
Understanding what is inside a solar panel helps explain why recycling is both possible and necessary. A standard crystalline silicon panel contains several recoverable materials.
| Material | % of panel weight | Recyclable? |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | ~75% | Yes, standard glass recycling |
| Aluminium frame | ~10% | Yes, standard aluminium recycling |
| Silicon cells | ~5% | Yes, specialist processing |
| Copper wiring | ~1% | Yes, standard copper recycling |
| Plastic (encapsulant, backsheet) | ~8% | Partially, varies by type |
| Silver, lead, other metals | ~1% | Yes, specialist recovery |
The aluminium and glass are straightforward to recycle and make up the bulk of the panel's weight. The tricky part is separating the silicon cells from the encapsulant (a plastic film that seals the cells under the glass). This requires specialised equipment, which is why general recyclers cannot process solar panels.
Your disposal options
recyclingSpecialist solar panel recyclers
Companies like Reclaim PV and SunMine Recycling operate dedicated solar panel recycling facilities in Australia. They can process panels to recover glass, aluminium, silicon, and copper. Some offer collection services; others require drop-off. Processing costs are typically $5 to $15 per panel. This is the most environmentally responsible option.
deleteCouncil e-waste programs
Many local councils accept solar panels at e-waste drop-off days or transfer stations. Availability and fees vary by council. Check your council's website or call them directly. Some councils accept panels for free; others charge a small fee. This option is improving as more councils add solar panels to their e-waste categories.
sellSell or give away second-hand
Panels that still produce reasonable output have resale value for off-grid setups, sheds, caravans, or developing-world aid projects. Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and dedicated second-hand solar groups are common channels. Expect $20 to $80 per panel depending on age, condition, and wattage. Panels over 15 years old or with physical damage may not find buyers.
handymanAsk your installer
If you are having panels removed as part of a system upgrade or replacement, ask your installer about disposal. Many installers have partnerships with recyclers and can handle disposal as part of the job. Some include disposal in their quote; others charge extra. Clarify this before the work starts.
State-by-state regulations
Solar panel disposal rules are evolving quickly. Here is where each state currently stands.
| State | Landfill ban? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Yes (since 2024) | Solar panels classified as e-waste. Must be taken to e-waste collection or recycler. |
| South Australia | Partial | E-waste ban in place; solar panels increasingly included. Check with local council. |
| NSW | Not yet | Product stewardship scheme under development. Council e-waste programs available. |
| Queensland | Not yet | Some councils accept panels at transfer stations. State-level scheme in consultation. |
| Western Australia | Not yet | Limited options outside Perth. WA Waste Authority developing guidelines. |
| Tasmania | Not yet | Small volumes. Contact local council for options. |
The federal government is also developing a national product stewardship scheme for solar panels, similar to the existing schemes for televisions and computers. This would create a funded, nationwide collection and recycling system. The timeline is still uncertain, but it is expected to be in place before the major wave of end-of-life panels hits in the early 2030s.
See How Much You'd Save
Enter your postcode to see your estimated rebate amount.
Over 3.6 million homes already claiming rebates
Second-hand solar panels: worth it?
If you are looking to buy used panels rather than dispose of them, second-hand solar panels can be a good deal for certain applications. They work well for off-grid sheds, caravans, camping setups, or as a low-cost way to add capacity to an existing off-grid system.
For grid-connected rooftop systems, second-hand panels are generally not recommended. The savings on panel cost are offset by the fact that old panels produce less power per square metre, have shorter remaining warranties (often none), and may not be compatible with modern inverters. If you are installing or upgrading a grid-connected system, new panels are almost always the better investment.
If you do buy second-hand, check the panel's nameplate for its wattage rating, then test actual output with a multimeter in full sun. Panels producing less than 70% of their rated output are at end of life and not worth buying. Also check for physical damage: cracks, yellowing, delamination, or burnt marks on the backsheet. To understand more about what to expect from ageing panels, see our guide on solar panel lifespan.
The coming waste wave
Australia's solar boom means a corresponding waste wave is coming. The panels installed during the 2010 to 2015 surge, when installations skyrocketed thanks to generous feed-in tariffs and falling costs, will start reaching end of life from the early 2030s.
Estimates suggest Australia will need to process 100,000 tonnes of solar panel waste per year by 2035, growing to over 1 million tonnes per year by 2050. Building the recycling infrastructure to handle this volume is one of the biggest logistical challenges facing the industry.
The challenge is also an opportunity. The materials in solar panels, particularly silicon, silver, and copper, have significant value. A mature recycling industry could recover billions of dollars worth of materials while preventing hazardous substances from reaching landfill. Several Australian companies are investing in this space now, and international technology for high-efficiency solar panel recycling is improving rapidly.
Frequently asked questions
Can solar panels be recycled?
Yes. Solar panels are about 85% to 95% recyclable by weight. The glass, aluminium frame, copper wiring, and silicon cells can all be recovered. Specialist recyclers in Australia can recover these materials, though the process is more complex than recycling a glass bottle or aluminium can.
How much does it cost to dispose of solar panels?
Costs vary by state and provider. Some council e-waste programs accept solar panels for free. Specialist recyclers may charge $5 to $15 per panel for processing. If panels need to be removed from the roof first, the removal cost ($500 to $1,500 for a full system) is the bigger expense.
Can I put solar panels in my regular bin or kerbside collection?
No. Solar panels are classified as e-waste in most Australian states and cannot go in general waste or kerbside recycling bins. They contain small amounts of lead, cadmium, and other materials that should not go to landfill. Take them to a designated e-waste or solar panel recycling facility.
Can I sell my old solar panels second-hand?
Possibly. Panels that are still producing reasonable output (above 80% of rated capacity) have resale value for off-grid sheds, caravans, or backup systems. Online marketplaces like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are common channels. However, panels with physical damage, very low output, or outdated connectors may not find buyers.
Are solar panels banned from landfill?
Victoria has banned solar panels from landfill as of 2024, and other states are expected to follow. Even where not yet banned, sending panels to landfill is discouraged because of the lead and cadmium content, and the fact that most materials can be recovered and reused.
What happens to recycled solar panels?
The recycling process separates the aluminium frame, glass, copper wiring, and silicon cells. The aluminium and glass are recycled through standard channels. The silicon and silver are recovered through more specialised processes. Current recovery rates are around 85% to 95% by weight.
The next step
If you have any questions about the information in this guide, feel free to get in touch:
Email: hello@whysolar.com.au
Tel: +61 455 221 921
If you're considering solar panels or batteries for your home, Jay and the team can help you get quotes from trusted, pre-vetted local installers:
Written by
JaySolar Evangelist
Passionate about making solar simple and accessible for every Australian household. Jay breaks down complex energy topics into practical advice so homeowners can make confident decisions about solar, batteries, and energy independence.
Learn more about Jay