PV Lab Australia is addressing the need for safe and reliable testing of reused solar panels. Historically, electrical safety tests, such as wet leakage tests, were overlooked, leading to potentially unsafe reused panels entering the market. In collaboration with the Smart Energy Council and CSIRO, PV Lab has identified the issue and is working on developing affordable, efficient safety tests for these panels.

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Research shows that about half of decommissioned panels are safe for reuse, with 70 million panels expected to enter the market in the next 20 years, representing 21 GW of energy potential. These panels could generate $60 billion in revenue while avoiding 36 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This reuse market also helps alleviate pressure on recycling efforts.

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By improving the safety testing process, PV Lab is enabling the growth of the reuse market, which offers significant environmental and economic benefits. These efforts ensure that reused panels are not only functional but also safe, contributing to a sustainable and profitable solar panel lifecycle.