Solar panel recycling is becoming an increasingly important part of Australia's renewable energy transition. As commercial solar installations age, home and business owners are beginning to face a question that often gets overlooked during installation: what happens to solar panels when they're no longer needed?
Whether panels are being replaced following storm damage, removed during roof upgrades or exchanged for new, higher-yield technology, responsible disposal is an important part of managing a commercial solar investment for businesses.
And with valuable materials such as glass, aluminium, copper and silver inside every panel, there's a strong case for giving them a second life.
Recently, we sat down with James Petesic from PV Industries to learn more about solar panel end-of-life stewardship, and how businesses can do the right thing in 2026.
Solar panel recycling is the process of dismantling and separating retired or damaged photovoltaic (PV) modules to recover materials that can be reused in manufacturing and other industries.
A solar panel is made up of approximately 75% glass by weight, alongside aluminium framing, silicon solar cells, copper and small quantities of valuable metals such as silver. Specialist Australian recycler PV Industries has developed purpose-built machinery to recover these materials, with its mechanical processing system recovering approximately 90% of a conventional panel by weight.
The process involves removing aluminium frames, separating glass and recovering the remaining solar cell material for further processing. Importantly, these recovered materials have applications well beyond the solar industry.
This is where the circular economy comes into play. Materials that once generated renewable electricity can be recovered and put to work in other industries.
Glass: From solar panels to construction materials
Recovered solar glass is crushed and graded into different particle sizes. PV Industries' glass processing equipment can handle approximately town tonnes per hour, creating opportunities for reuse in concrete, asphalt, textured paints and architectural surfaces.
Aluminium: Less energy, more value
Aluminium frames can be removed and recycled into new products. Producing recycled aluminium can require approximately 95% less energy than producing primary aluminium, making it particulary valuable to recover.
Silver: A valuable resource worth recovering
Silver is essential for conducting electricity within many solar cells. As global solar manufacturing expands, recovering silver from retired panels offers an opportunity to reduce reliance on newly minded materials.
Recycling thousands of solar panels presents some practical challenges, and surprisingly, James tells us that one of the biggest is how they're stacked.
Before collection, recyclers typically require information about the number of panels, their specification and the site location. Panel data sheets are particularly important because they identify dimensions and thickness, allowing recyclers to calculate the most efficient and safe way to stack panels for transport.
Depending on the module type, panels may be stacked in single or double pallet configurations to maximise truck capacity.
However, there's an important distinction between damaged panels and badly handled panels.
Broken glass doesn't necessarily mean a panel can't be recycled. Because glass is broken down during processing, panels with cracked glass may still be suitable.
Severely bent frames, on the other hand, can prevent panels from passing through recycling machinery. Poorly stacked panels can also create transport safety risks and require additional truck movements, increasing project costs.
Certain technologies, including bifacial and double-glass modules can present additional processing challenges and may not be accepted by facilities designed for conventional monofacial panels.
For businesses considering a solar upgrade, James advises planning in advance how old panels will be removed, stacked and transported. This can make a significant difference to the overall success of the recycling process.
Recycling costs depends on the size, location and complexity of the project.
As an indicative example, PV Industries outlined a commercial processing rate of approximately $8 per panel excluding GST, with transportation quoted separately. The final cost depends on several factors, including the number and type of panels, site accessibility, collection arrangements and transport distance.
Poorly prepared panels may also increase costs if additional truck movements are required.
While recycling represents an additional consideration in a solar replacement project, planning early can help businesses manage these costs and avoid unnecessary logistical complications.
A commercial solar installation is a long-term investment, but its value extends beyond the electricity it generates. From initial system design and ongoing maintenance to future upgrades and eventual replacement, each stage presents opportunities to improve environmental and commercial outcomes.
At Smart Commercial Energy, we believe responsible renewable energy investment means considering the entire lifecycle of a solar system, including what happens when equipment reaches the end of its useful life.
As Australia's solar industry continues to mature, recycling will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that the transition to cleaner energy also supports a more circular economy.
Considering an upgrade to your existing commercial solar system? Get in touch with the Smart Commercial Energy team to explore your options for improving performance and planning for the future.