Extending the lifespan of solar panels through national certification and reuse
Australia’s leading adoption of rooftop solar has a hidden challenge: millions of outdated photovoltaic (PV) panels are ending up in landfill. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) are now charting a path to turning this waste into opportunity, showing how extending the life of panels can benefit both the environment and the economy.
Led by PhD student Ishika Chhillar, the UniSA study highlights the technical, regulatory and economic barriers that currently prevent large-scale reuse of solar panels. Installed systems in Australia, which typically last 20 to 30 years, are often replaced sooner, and the Australian Energy Council expects the amount of discarded panels to total 280,000 tonnes by the end of the year.
Chhillar’s research calls for a national approach to certification, testing and reuse, arguing that recycling alone cannot solve the problem. “The large-scale reuse of PV panels faces technical, economic and regulatory barriers,” she explains. “The low cost of new panels undermines resale, and inconsistent policies across states discourage companies from handling used panels.”
She says the lack of a national reuse framework or certification standard increases uncertainty among installers and buyers. “Currently, the lack of any standard certification for used panels means buyers and installers have little to rely on other than the seller’s word, but an official certification process would change that,” notes Chhillar.
Her team proposes a rating system – such as gold, silver or bronze – to assess remaining efficiency and longevity, backed by standardized testing and certification. This would enable consumers to make informed decisions and increase confidence in the secondary market.
Associate Professor Sukhbir Sandhu, who studies sustainability and social innovation, adds that digital tracking could further support reuse efforts. “If the history and performance data of each solar panel could be recorded in a database accessible to buyers and regulators, this would dramatically reduce uncertainty,” she says.
Such digital traceability, potentially via blockchain or QR-coded ‘digital passports’, could help panels retain value over multiple life cycles, reducing waste while maximizing investments in clean energy infrastructure.
“By embracing a structured approach to solar panel repurposing, the renewable energy sector can significantly extend the life cycle of these resources, contributing to a more sustainable, efficient and circular economy,” concludes Sandhu.
Research report:Solar panel reuse certification: a systematic review of cross-sector practices and gaps
