Services for Local Government
Transform Your Solar Panel Waste Challenge Into a Circular Economy Opportunity
From Waste Problem to Circular Opportunity
100kW PV system using 100% reused PV panels at the Kurrajong Recycling Facility in Wagga Wagga NSW.
Overview
Local governments and councils across Australia are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing solar panel waste. With growing numbers of panels nearing the end of their life, councils must find ways to ensure these materials don’t end up in landfills. Yet, current recycling options are limited, time-consuming, and costly.
The Challenge Facing Councils
The traditional approach for dealing with solar panel waste involves ringing recyclers—a time-consuming and often frustrating task. Even when recycling services are found, councils can expect to pay between $250 to $500 per tonne, plus transport costs, just to have panels recycled. This burden on time and budget makes managing solar panel waste a growing concern for councils.
But that’s not the only issue. The rising costs of solar panel recycling, coupled with the limited number of recycling facilities, leave councils with few sustainable options. Without effective alternatives, councils face growing pressure to meet circular economy targets while keeping budgets under control. Sustainability managers and waste managers need a solution that goes beyond just “disposing of” solar panels.
Transform Your Solar Panel Waste Challenge Into a Circular Economy Opportunity
At Second Life Solar, we provide councils with an innovative, circular economy solution. Rather than seeing solar panel waste as a liability, our services enable councils to reuse panels that are still fully functional, generate revenue, and lead by example in sustainable waste management. With over 50% of decommissioned panels expected to be suitable for reuse, your council can benefit from a smarter, more profitable approach.
By partnering with Second Life Solar, councils can save money, generate revenue, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Our CSIRO-backed testing technology quickly identifies panels suitable for reuse, allowing councils to reduce recycling costs by half. Plus, those panels deemed suitable for reuse can generate up to $1,426 per tonne in revenue, offering significant financial relief. Councils can even reuse these panels on their own facilities to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions—all with no upfront cost with our funding model.
Services
Second Life Solar offers a comprehensive service that takes the hassle out of managing solar panel waste. From waste management plans that allow councils to plan ahead based on projected solar panel waste volumes, to reuse and recycling solutions that help councils meet circular economy goals, we provide a full-service approach tailored to your needs.
Let us help your council turn solar panel waste into a sustainability success story. Contact us today to learn how Second Life Solar can transform your solar waste management practices and help you meet your environmental targets.
Smart For The Environment.
Smart For Your Budget.
Smart For Your ESG Reporting.
Tailored Solar Panel Waste Solutions for Local Governments
At Second Life Solar, we understand the unique challenges councils face when managing solar panel waste. That’s why we offer three levels of service to ensure you find the right solution for your needs.
- Basic Service - Consulting
- Standard Service - PV Waste Management
- Premium Service - Testing, Reuse, and Waste Management
Overview:
We provide councils with expert guidance on how to develop a circular economy plan for their solar panel waste. Our consulting services include analysis of your council’s solar panel waste volume projections and tailored recommendations on sustainable waste management strategies for solar panel waste.
What’s included:
- Detailed waste projection reports by year and postcode based on solar panel installations in your LGA.
- Guidance on reducing solar panel waste and recycling costs.
- Strategic advice on meeting circular economy and sustainability goals.
Ideal for:
Councils who want to DIY the management of the solar panel waste in their LGA but want a little help to be better prepared.
Get a custom solar panel waste project report for each postcode in your LGA starting from just $900 plus GST.
Overview:
In this service, we manage the collection and transportation of your council’s solar panels to qualified recyclers. We remove the administrative burden from your team by handling logistics and sourcing recycling services.
What’s included:
- Full collection and transportation of solar panels from council facilities.
- Coordination with approved recyclers.
- Transparent pricing, with fees in the order of $5 to $15 per panel, plus transport.
- Reporting to ISO59020:2024 Circular economy — Measuring and assessing circularity performance
Ideal for:
Councils looking for a hassle-free, managed solution for solar panel recycling without having to navigate the complexities of finding recyclers.
Overview:
Our premium service is designed to maximize the value of your council’s solar panel waste. Using CSIRO-developed testing technology, we can quickly and efficiently test panels to determine their suitability for reuse. Panels that meet our standards can be redeployed in new projects, helping your council save on energy costs or generate revenue.
What’s included:
- Testing of panels at $5 to $10 per panel to identify reuse potential.
- Provision of limited warranty on tested panels that are suitable for reuse.
- Logistics and management of panels for recycling with transparent pricing, with fees in the order of $5 to $15 per panel, plus transport.
- Assistance in redeploying reusable panels in council projects, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.
- Support in selling suitable panels into local projects, with councils potentially generating up to $1,426 in revenue per tonne of PV waste**.
Ideal for:
Councils looking for a cost-effective, revenue-generating solution that aligns with circular economy principles and sustainability leadership.
** Revenue shown as a guide only. Amount will vary based location (solar resource) and percentage of panels suitable for reuse.
Schedule a Free Consultation
We know that your project needs are unique. Contact us to schedule a free consultation so that we can develop a solution to help you achieve your renewable energy and circular economy goals.
Get in Touch
hello@secondlifesolar.com.au
