What happens to your solar panels at end of life
Australia has more rooftop solar than anywhere else in the world, with roughly 1 in 3 homes now sporting panels on the roof. Most solar panels are built to run for 20 to 30 years, and they don't suddenly stop working at that point. They slow down, producing a little less power each year. A quality panel at the 30-year mark can still generate around 85% of its original output.
Other components wear out sooner. Inverters typically need replacement within 10 to 15 years, while battery lifespan depends largely on how hard they've been worked.
The looming waste problem
The challenge is volume. As the first big wave of Australian installs reaches end-of-use, the waste adds up fast. The Clean Energy Council estimates that around 1 million tonnes of solar panels will reach end of life by 2035, containing more than $1 billion in recoverable materials.
Right now, only a small fraction of that gets recycled. Government figures put it at around 17%, with the rest stockpiled, exported, or sent to landfill. That's a growing problem, because several states and territories have already banned solar panels and other e-waste from landfill entirely.
Panels are mostly recyclable
A solar panel is roughly 80% recyclable. The glass, aluminium frame, silicon, silver and copper inside can all be recovered and put back to use.
Even better, a large share of retired panels aren't truly dead. They're just underperforming. The Smart Energy Council estimates around one-third of decommissioned panels could be reused rather than thrown away, potentially contributing up to 24 gigawatts of capacity by 2040. That's enough to power around 6 million homes a year. Many panels can be tested, certified and given a second life without manufacturing anything new.
Australian recyclers are already proving it works: recovering silver and copper, and even turning recycled panel glass into construction materials.
What's changing in policy
The momentum is now official. On 16 January 2026, the federal government announced a $24.7 million commitment over three years to a national solar panel recycling pilot, with up to 100 collection sites planned across the country. The pilot is expected to get underway from mid-2026 and aims to process up to 250,000 panels from households, businesses and solar farms.
The bigger picture is even more compelling. The government estimates that a full national product stewardship scheme for solar, the likely next step after the pilot, could unlock up to $7.3 billion in economic benefits through reduced waste and material reuse. Proper disposal is shifting from optional to expected.
What this means for you
If you own a solar system, a few simple things matter:
- Don't DIY removal. Panels and especially batteries can be dangerous to handle. Always use a licensed electrician or accredited installer.
- Check before you bin it. Many councils and installers offer e-waste recycling or take-back for old panels and inverters.
- Plan for the whole lifecycle. When you upgrade or replace, ask where your old gear is going.
Solar is a truly clean technology only if we deal responsibly with what comes after the warranty ends. The good news is that the system is catching up, and national rules are finally taking shape.
At Power Tech Energy, we think about the full lifecycle. When the time comes to upgrade or replace, we'll help you do it the right way.
