If you’ve invested in high-quality panels, you’re probably looking at 25-30 years of energy production.
But here’s the thing: solar panels lose efficiency over the years. Once they reach the point where they’re producing a lot less energy, they’re considered “dead”. Now, that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped working completely, but they’re no longer making enough power to be worth keeping around as part of your energy system.
So, what do you do when your panels hit this stage? You’ve got options! Here are some of the things you can do with your panels once they’ve served their purpose.
1. Recycling:
About 80-90% of a solar panel— like the glass, metal or silicon— can actually be reused. But here’s the catch: Australia still has limited solar recycling programs. Why? Because these panels are tricky to break down. Each one needs to be separated into its parts, which takes a lot of effort and some serious machinery.
Right now, you might have a hard time finding recycling options for your old panels. But don’t worry— new technologies are making recycling easier, and more programs are popping up all the time to help out.
Research local locations: it’s worth hopping onto Google and searching for recycling options near you. Some companies might even take them off your hands for free or a small fee.
Keep an eye on local news and recycling updates, and even check your council’s recycling services to see if they can help out (although this might not be available everywhere just yet). Reaching out directly is your best bet!
Regulations and Industry Growth
Australia is still developing its options when it comes to solar panel disposal. Right now, there’s no mandatory nationwide solar panel recycling program, but there’s definitely some momentum building. Various groups are pushing for stronger regulations and better recycling options.
Sustainability Victoria is one of the key players here. They’ve been working alongside the Victorian government to create guidelines for recycling old solar panels. As more and more panels reach their end of life, these types of programs are starting to grow. Things are heading in the right direction!
E-waste disposal in Australia:
Since July 21st 2019, Victoria has made it illegal to dump e-waste in landfills— and yes, that includes your solar panels. This is however a good move, as it helps protect the environment and human health while giving us a chance to recover valuable materials for reuse. But here’s the downside: with solar panel recycling options still pretty limited, getting rid of them isn’t as easy as we’d like.
So what can you do?
E-waste recycling centres: Some of these centres might accept solar panels, particularly those that deal with larger electronics and hazardous materials. You’ll need to check if there are any local to you and confirm if they take solar panels— it varies from place to place.
Resale and repurposing
Even when your solar panels aren’t running at peak efficiency anymore, they may still have some life left in them. Some people repurpose or sell their old panels for secondary uses, like powering off-grid equipment or helping out with community projects where maximum efficiency isn’t such a big deal.
Second-Hand Markets: You could try selling your panels online or donate them for educational purposes. Just keep in mind, the demand for used solar panels isn’t huge, and even if you do sell them, don’t expect to get a lot of money. But, it’s better than letting them go to waste!
Manufacturer Takeback Schemes: Some solar manufacturers in Australia offer take back programs, where they’ll reclaim and recycle panels. Always check with your panel provider to see if they have something like this in place.
Best Practice for Disposal:
To sum up— this is what you can do with your old solar panels:
Contact recycling programs to make sure you’re disposing your panels responsibly.
Check with local councils or e-waste facilities about your solar panel disposal options. They might even have some other suggestions for you.
Consider repurposing or selling your panels for secondary uses! You’d be surprised at the creative way people can use old panels.
Whatever you do, avoid dumping solar panels in landfills. We want to reduce as much waste as we can!
By recycling or repurposing your panels, you’re not just getting rid of them— you’re helping to minimise your environmental impact and supporting Australia’s sustainability efforts! 🌱
If you have any other questions about your solar system, make sure to reach out to us at 03 9071 2468 or hello@energywired.com.au.
We’re always happy to help!
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