Committee to hear from CSIRO on photovoltaic projects and key elements for solar panel circularity

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 3, as part of its inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling.

The inquiry was referred on January 19 this year by the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the dommittee to question officials from the CSIRO about photovoltaic research projects that the agency has been working on—including printable solar cells, perovskite-based cells and tandem cells — and how these may assist the development of a circular economy for solar panels in Australia.

Committee Chair, Anne Urquhart MP said, “The committee will discuss the innovative research work the CSIRO is undertaking on solar cell development to enhance the reuse and recycling potential of future solar panels.

“We are also keen to unpack the barriers to reuse and recycling of solar panels that CSIRO has identified in its submission to the inquiry, including further research and development required into ways to sustainably recycle silicon, silver and copper from panels—and a current lack of capital investment for specialised recycling machinery," Ms Urquhart said.

Public hearing details:

Date:               Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Time:               10am to 11am AEST (Canberra)
Location:         Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House Canberra and online (audio only).

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Hearing with:   CSIRO

Further information, including the terms of reference, can be found on the committee’s website.

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