Australia’s booming solar industry is creating a new challenge: what to do with thousands of old solar panels when they reach the end of their lives.
Most panels are currently ending up in landfill, but researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) say there’s a better way—one that could extend their lifespan, reduce waste, and make solar energy even more sustainable.
Australia leads the world in rooftop solar installations per person, with millions of homes now powered by the sun.
But these solar photovoltaic (PV) systems usually last only 20 to 30 years, and many are replaced even sooner as new models become cheaper and more efficient.
The Australian Energy Council estimates that by the end of this year, the country will have about 280,000 tons of end-of-life solar panels, most of which will go straight to landfill.
UniSA PhD student Ishika Chhillar led a new study, published in the journal Sustainability, exploring how Australia could safely and profitably reuse old solar panels instead of discarding them.
She found that recycling alone won’t solve the problem; instead, Australia needs to build a secondary market for used panels—where old systems can be refurbished, certified, and sold for reuse.
“The large-scale reuse of solar panels faces technical, economic, and regulatory barriers,” Chhillar said. “But with the right frameworks, these can be overcome, creating real environmental and social benefits.”
One of the biggest hurdles is financial. The price of new solar panels has dropped so much that there’s little incentive for people to buy second-hand ones.
At the same time, there are no rebates, credits, or national guidelines supporting the reuse of old panels. Each state and territory has its own rules, and installers are often reluctant to work with used systems because of unclear legal liability.
Chhillar believes the solution lies in national standards and certification. A standardized testing system could confirm how efficient and safe a used panel is, making buyers more confident.
“A clear, trusted certification process could include grading labels—like gold, silver, or bronze—to indicate a panel’s remaining efficiency and lifespan,” she explained. “That way, buyers can make informed choices.”
Associate Professor Sukhbir Sandhu, who co-authored the study, says digital tracking systems could also make a big difference.
If each solar panel had a digital record of its history—possibly using QR codes or blockchain technology—buyers and regulators could instantly check whether it’s suitable for reuse. “This kind of transparency would reduce uncertainty and cut down on the need for extra testing,” Sandhu said.
The researchers say that with clear national rules, smart certification, and digital innovation, Australia can prevent a looming solar waste crisis. “By reusing and repurposing solar panels,” Sandhu said, “we can extend their life, reduce landfill, and make the renewable energy sector truly circular and sustainable.”
