New South Wales is consulting on a proposed mandatory solar panel recycling scheme that the state government says could support the development of local recycling, remanufacturing and manufacturing industries.
In a news release, the government stated the proposed regulation would require solar panel brand owners to take responsibility for managing their products at the end of their life, including helping fund collection, recycling and resource recovery across NSW.
The NSW Government said the scheme is intended to increase the recovery and reuse of materials rather than sending panels to landfill.
NSW has more than 1.18 million rooftop solar systems across homes, businesses, schools and community facilities. According to the government, around 14,000 tonnes of solar panel waste is generated in the state each year, with this figure projected to reach 89,000 tonnes by 2045.
The government said recovered aluminium, glass, silicon, copper and silver could be reused in new products and manufacturing industries, potentially helping develop local supply chains and manufacturing capability.
“The proposed regulation will help drive investment and jobs in the solar recycling industry and support the potential development of a solar panel remanufacturing industry in NSW,” the NSW Government said.
NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe said the scheme could help address the growing volume of end-of-life solar panels while creating opportunities to recover materials.
“Solar panels contain valuable materials that can be recovered and put back to work,” Sharpe said.
“A mandatory product stewardship scheme can help build a circular economy for solar panels, while supporting new recycling and manufacturing opportunities here in NSW.”
The government has released an issues paper alongside the draft regulation, seeking feedback on how NSW can support the growth of solar panel recycling, remanufacturing and manufacturing industries.
Consultation will include unions, industry, recyclers, manufacturers, researchers, local government, workers and the community.
The NSW EPA said the consultation is intended to gather views on the proposed scheme, including its benefits and implementation challenges, as well as opportunities and barriers to developing a domestic advanced manufacturing industry. Submissions are open until 5pm on 16 November 2026.
