Scoping study for solar panel and battery system reuse and recycling fund

Posted on 17 Feb 2021
Updated on 17 Feb 2021
2-minute read

In 2019, the NSW Government committed $10 million in funding to help reuse and recycle solar panels (photovoltaic panels or PV) and battery systems. This proactive investment was intended to future-proof management of the growing waste stream and assist NSW to transition to cleaner energy and a circular economy.

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

In 2019, the NSW Government committed $10 million in funding to help reuse and recycle solar panels (photovoltaic panels or PV) and battery systems. This proactive investment was intended to future-proof management of the growing waste stream and assist NSW to transition to cleaner energy and a circular economy.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) was responsible for the delivery of this program and commissioned ISF to conduct research that would inform the design of the $10 million program and ensure it properly supported development of a solar panel and battery system reuse and recycling industry in NSW that would be economically viable, environmentally and socially responsible, and adhere to circular economy principles.

The $10 million NSW fund was intended to complement two national product stewardship schemes – for solar panels and batteries, respectively – by supporting the development of reuse and recycling capacity. At the time of this project, NSW had no facilities primarily designed to recycle solar panels.

Scoping study for photovoltaic panel and battery system reuse and recycling fund (2020) (Report)