Case Study: Australia’s Largest Solar Energy Project Using 100% Reused Panels
The future of solar energy in Australia just got brighter—and more sustainable.
In a groundbreaking project, Australia’s largest solar energy installation using 100% reused solar panels was commissioned in August 2024 at the Kurrajong Recycling Facility in Wagga Wagga, NSW.
These panels were once destined for landfill, but now they’re helping power Australia’s shift towards a net-zero economy. Here’s how this remarkable achievement unfolded.
Economic Case for Reuse: A Game-Changer
When this project started, many believed that reusing solar panels didn’t make economic sense. Testing costs were seen as prohibitively high, making reuse unviable. However, this project has completely transformed that thinking.
Our research, outlined in the report “The Case for Solar Panel Reuse in Australia,” demonstrated that a reused panel generates 133 times more value than a recycled one. We estimate that by 2030, Australia could potentially redeploy 8GW of reused panels—worth an incredible $38.4 billion.
This success has not only shifted industry perceptions but also sparked national interest in including panel reuse as part of Australia’s PV stewardship scheme.
New Technology to Power a Circular Solar Industry
To activate the reuse market, this project needed a game-changing solution: affordable, scalable testing for old solar panels. Enter the PV Rapid Triage Test Rig, developed in collaboration with CSIRO. This innovative mobile rig tests a solar panel’s electrical and mechanical condition in under 60 seconds—and at a cost of just a few dollars.
Traditional testing technology in the solar industry costs millions. Our rig, however, offers a low-cost alternative, unlocking the potential for solar panel reuse on a massive scale. This is a huge leap forward in making solar energy both circular and economically viable.
Australia’s Largest Demonstration of Solar Panel Reuse
The 100kW PV system installed at the Kurrajong facility is not just a technical achievement—it’s a proof of concept for the reuse of panels at scale. By diverting solar panels from landfill and re-deploying them in a commercial energy system, this project shows that a circular approach is not only possible but scalable.
Australia’s Largest Demonstration of Solar Panel Reuse
100kW Solar System consisting of 100% reused solar panels installed by Solar Professionals for Kurrajong Recycling, Wagga Wagga NSW.
The Future of Solar is Circular
This project has proven that solar panel reuse is both economically viable and environmentally essential. With innovative testing technology, a scalable model, and a new startup leading the way, Australia is poised to take a global leadership role in solar sustainability.
Are you ready to join the circular solar revolution? Reach out to explore how reused panels can power your next project.
Need help integrating circularity into your solar energy project?
hello@secondlifesolar.com.au
