Sunset on solar waste: Have your say on solar panel reuse and recycling

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has commenced an inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling, and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings.

Ensuring that renewable technologies, such as solar panels, are responsibly managed at the end of their life is essential to protecting Australia's environment. This inquiry will take a close look at how Australia currently handles ageing and decommissioned solar panels, examining the scale of today’s waste challenge and what’s expected in the years ahead. It will assess existing disposal practices, comparing the economic and environmental impacts of reuse, versus recycling, and landfill.

The inquiry will explore the environmental, economic, and energy‑security opportunities that could come from recovering valuable materials from end‑of‑life panels. It will also consider how developed Australia’s reuse and recycling capabilities are, and what more may be needed to support a sustainable and circular solar industry.

Committee Chair, Anne Urquhart said, "As the amount of solar generation installed across the nation continues to grow, it is critical to examine the end-of-life plan for solar infrastructure. This inquiry will examine the current and future impacts of solar waste, and the state of Australia’s solar panel reuse and recycling capabilities.

"To progress Australia’s transition to a circular economy, the barriers to reusing and recycling solar panels at scale need to be identified through close collaboration with industry, academia, and subject matter experts."

The committee has invited written submissions addressing the terms of reference by March 27, 2026. Further information, including the terms of reference and details on how to make a submission, can be found on the committee’s website.

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