Solar sector pundits press goverment on $6.5 billion opportunity with $10 levy

A delegation of solar industry stakeholders are in the second day of talks with federal ministers to petition a mandatory product stewardship scheme for the solar circular economy, saying a $10 fee per panel can sustain the industry and cash-in on $65 billion opportunity.

September 4, 2025 Ev Foley

Image: Smart Energy Council

A delegation representing 60 solar recycling and clean energy stakeholders are in day two of talks with federal ministers to petition a mandatory product stewardship scheme for the solar circular economy.

Asking for a $10 per panel fee, which delegation lead Smart Energy Council says would create certainty for the panel recycling industry given it’s ability to mine precious resources from decommissioned modules, of which 5% are currently recycled.

The group says the government has failed to act on delivering a sustainable stewardship ecosystem, including design, reuse, recycling, and remanufacture.

The peak industry, business, union, local government, community and environmental group organisations are presenting a joint statement to the government, calling on it to capitalise on the productivity, economic and social opportunities, the solar module circular economy represents.

“Through recovery of solar PV panels, Australia has a $6.5 billion (USD 4.2 billion) opportunity to bolster the nations’ critical mineral resource security, while creating innovation, new domestic industries, manufacturing, and jobs,” the joint statement reads.

Through recovery of solar PV panels, Australia has a $6.5 billion opportunity to bolster the nation’s critical mineral resource security.
*Image: Smart Energy Council*

The Smart Energy Council says it is buoyed by the opportunity to engage with government, however, note discussions on the issue have been ongoing since the government took power, and the time for talk is over.

Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes said there is an escalating solar panel waste crisis looming, with serious environmental and social impacts set to follow.

“Panel decommissionings are set to double, and a recycling industry that has invested heavily on the promise of a national product stewardship scheme will stagnate and decline, with associated job losses, after a decade of policy inaction,” Grimes said.

“Time is up, and Australia’s renewable energy sector stands ready to act. This is a resource solution, rather than a waste problem.”

Of the millions of solar panels being decommissioned each year, less than 5% are recycled – John Grimes, Smart Energy Council
*Image: Smart Energy Council*

Co-signee of the joint venture, RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said Australia has the solutions to recycle the majority of renewable technologies.

“Regional communities want assurances that renewable projects will be managed well at the end of their life. As well as being an important environmental consideration, materials reuse and recycling can provide new economic opportunities for local industries,” Mr Bray said.

“Our recent deep dive into retirement age renewables shows these projects are highly recyclable. More than 95% of solar panels can be recovered and reused or recycled in Australia if the federal government delivers a system that includes all elements of the process: design, reuse, recycling and manufacturing.”

On September 4, representatives met with federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain, and Senator Whish-Wilson.

Talks kicked off on 3 September with the Prime Minister’s Office, the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres and Minister for the Environment and Water Senator Murray Watt.

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