From rooftop to resource our new solar panel recycling program is helping residents and businesses close the loop on solar waste.
The City of Mitcham has launched South Australia's first council-led solar panel recycling program, making it easier than ever for our community to recycle old or damaged solar panels.
If you're replacing your panels through our community solar bulk buy program, this service gives you a sustainable alternative to landfill and ensures valuable materials are recovered and reused.
Working in partnership with ShineHub and PV Industries, we are recycling panels from Council buildings and community clubs too leading by example and helping drive a local circular economy.
“This is the only Council-led solar panel recycling program in South Australia. We know solar waste is a growing issue, with around four million panels decommissioned every year in Australia. We want to make sure our community solar participants can replace old panels without sending them to landfill.”
Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross
How the program works
If you’re a participant in our community solar bulk buy, your old panels will be removed and sent to PV Industries in Victoria for recycling.
This service is available at the same cost as previous landfill disposal options but with far greater benefits for the environment.
Already have solar? If you're installing a battery or upgrading your system, you're likely eligible. Just check with ShineHub when registering for the program.
What happens to your old panels?
Your panels are safely transported to PV Industries for specialist recycling:
- The aluminium frame, copper cables and junction boxes are separated and sold into local scrap metal markets.
- The glass is turned into sand for use in construction and architecture.
- The remaining laminate is shredded and used in research and development for future recycling technologies.
Why we’re sending panels interstate
At this stage, there are no South Australian recyclers that meet the technical and environmental standards we were seeking. That’s why we’ve partnered with PV Industries, a leading Australian solar recycling company with operations in Melbourne and Sydney.
What does it cost?
It used to cost around $50 plus GST per panel to dispose of old panels via landfill. Now, for the same cost, your panels are fully recycled thanks to our partnership with ShineHub and PV Industries.
FAQs
The service is available to new community solar program participants only. Register your interest via the link below.
Not at this stage. We hope to expand the program in future, but currently we can only accept panels being replaced through our bulk buy initiative.
No. Most panels are no longer under warranty, have degraded, or cannot be easily tested for safely tested for performance. For safety and quality reasons, all panels in this program are recycled, not reused.
Be part of the next bulk buy
Our community solar bulk buy helps you reduce your power bills and your carbon footprint and now you can upgrade your system knowing your old panels won’t go to waste.