Australia Solar Panel Recycling Market

Australia Solar Panel Recycling Market Overview:

The Australia solar panel recycling market size reached USD 3,546.00 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 10,806.02 Million by ​2033​, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 13.18% during ​2025-2033​. The market is driven by the rise in end-of-life PV panels, as Australia’s early solar installations reach their 20-25 year lifespan, generating tonnes of waste annually by 2030. Regulatory pressures, such as Victoria’s landfill ban, are accelerating demand for recycling services, prompting companies to expand recovery of silicon, glass, and metals. Additionally, circular economy initiatives and industry partnerships are fostering advanced recycling technologies, further augmenting the Australia solar panel recycling market share.

Australia Solar Panel Recycling Market Trends:

Increasing Demand for Solar Panel Recycling Due to Rising PV Waste

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing volume of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) panels. With Australia’s rapid adoption of solar energy over the past decade, many early installations are now reaching their 20-25 year lifespan, leading to a rise in PV waste. The country is projected to generate over 100,000 tonnes of solar panel waste annually by 2030, creating a pressing need for efficient recycling solutions. Australia is facing a growing solar waste problem, with estimates suggesting this year the amount of end-of-life panels will total 280,000 tonnes and 1.157 million tonnes by 2035. As the recycling industry is not able to catch up, Queensland's first solar panel recycling plant is capable of recycling 240,000 panels annually. However, around 800,000 panels are still in danger of ending up in a landfill. With the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme set to include solar PV systems by 2025, industry players are advocating for increased investment in circular economy programs. In addition, the market for recycling services is also being driven by government mandates such as Victoria's prohibition on landfill dumping of solar panels. Increasing numbers of companies are entering the business of reclaiming recyclable material, including silicon, glass, and metals. This is a trend that will continue to gain momentum as regional authorities around the nation place tighter waste regulations in place, and as advancements in recycling technologies and sustainable waste disposal practices expand.

Growth in Circular Economy Initiatives and Industry Partnerships

The rise of circular economy models and collaborations between industry stakeholders is also propelling the Australia solar panel recycling market growth. Solar manufacturers, waste management firms, and government bodies are increasingly partnering to develop closed-loop recycling systems that repurpose materials into new panels. For instance, the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) has been advocating for standardized recycling processes to improve efficiency. Additionally, companies are investing in advanced separation technologies to enhance material recovery rates, reducing reliance on raw material extraction. Financial incentives, such as grants for recycling infrastructure, are also supporting market expansion. For instance, researchers at UNSW in Australia secured AUD 5 million (approximately USD 3.4 Million) to establish a research hub for solar panel recycling with a view to recycling 99% of photovoltaic materials and re-designing panels for easier recycling. With an estimated over 100,000 tons of photovoltaic waste every year by 2030, the ARC Research Hub will foster innovation across the solar recycling value chain. This project is one of a greater AUD 34.7 million (approximately USD 23.6 Million) research investment that strengthens Australia's focus on sustainable energy solutions. As sustainability becomes a priority for businesses and consumers, the demand for eco-friendly disposal solutions will grow, positioning solar panel recycling as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy future.

Australia Solar Panel Recycling Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for ​2025-2033​. Our report has categorized the market based on process, type, material, and shelf life.

Process Insights:

• Thermal
• Mechanical
• Laser
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the process. This includes thermal, mechanical, laser, and others.

Type Insights:

• Crystalline Silicon
• Thin Film
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type have also been provided in the report. This includes crystalline silicon, thin film, and others.

Material Insights:

• Metal
• Glass
• Aluminum
• Silicon
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the material. This includes metal, glass, aluminum, silicon, and others.

Shelf Life Insights:

• Normal Loss
• Early Loss

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the shelf life have also been provided in the report. This includes normal loss and early loss.

Regional Insights:

• Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales
• Victoria & Tasmania
• Queensland
• Northern Territory & Southern Australia
• Western Australia

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, Queensland, Northern Territory & Southern Australia, and Western Australia.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Australia Solar Panel Recycling Market News:

• November 24, 2024: Sircel Pty Ltd launched its most advanced solar panel recycling facility in Parkes, NSW, marking a major step toward sustainability. With over 1.3 million tonnes of solar panels nationwide and only 15% currently recycled, the new plant aims to recover valuable materials, including aluminum, glass, copper, and silver. Funded by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority’s Circular Solar Phase 2 grants program, the initiative will help redirect end-of-life panels back into the circular economy.

Australia Solar Panel Recycling Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Australia solar panel recycling market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Australia solar panel recycling market on the basis of process?
• What is the breakup of the Australia solar panel recycling market on the basis of type?
• What is the breakup of the Australia solar panel recycling market on the basis of material?
• What is the breakup of the Australia solar panel recycling market on the basis of shelf life?
• What is the breakup of the Australia solar panel recycling market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Australia solar panel recycling market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Australia solar panel recycling market?
• What is the structure of the Australia solar panel recycling market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Australia solar panel recycling market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Australia solar panel recycling market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Australia solar panel recycling market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Australia solar panel recycling industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.