About

As solar energy powers Australia’s transition to renewables, a growing challenge has emerged—millions of solar panels are being discarded long before the end of their lifespan. Without a clear pathway for reuse, functional panels are prematurely sent to landfill or recycling, creating unnecessary waste and lost value.

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In response, Blue Tribe Company, in partnership with CSIRO, Solar Professionals, and Dubbo Regional Council, launched the Second Life Solar initiative to prove that solar panels can—and must—be reused. This led to CSIRO developing innovative PV testing technology, the establishment of Australia’s largest demonstration of solar panel reuse with a 100kW system at the Kurrajong Recycling Facility in Wagga Wagga, and the creation of Second Life Solar, a business commercializing these learnings and enabling circular solar solutions at scale.

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Beyond demonstration, Second Life Solar is shaping the future of solar stewardship. As part of the Queensland Government’s Stewardship PV Pilot Project, the team is testing 5,000 panels, creating one of the world’s largest datasets on solar panel condition to inform policy, drive circular solutions, and unlock a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for reuse.

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Recycling is important, but true circularity requires a whole-system approach—from better design and longer system life to reuse and, finally, responsible recycling.

Solar changed the world—now, we must ensure its success does not become its greatest waste challenge.