The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has opened an inquiry into the reuse and recycling of solar panels, seeking written submissions from industry, researchers and the public.

The inquiry will examine how Australia currently manages ageing and decommissioned solar panels, the scale of the waste challenge and projected future impacts. It will assess the environmental and economic benefits of reuse versus recycling and the risks of landfill disposal, while exploring opportunities to recover valuable materials from end-of-life panels.

“As the amount of solar generation installed across the nation continues to grow, it is critical to examine the end-of-life plan for solar infrastructure. This inquiry will examine the current and future impacts of solar waste and the state of Australia’s solar panel reuse and recycling capabilities,” House of Representatives Standing Committee chair Anne Urquhart says.

“To progress Australia’s transition to a circular economy, the barriers to reusing and recycling solar panels at scale need to be identified through close collaboration with industry, academia and subject matter experts.”

The committee’s findings will help guide policy and support the development of a sustainable, circular approach to managing solar panels as the renewable energy sector continues to expand.

The Committee invites written submissions addressing the terms of reference by 27 March 2026. Further information, including the terms of reference and details on how to make a submission, can be found on the Committee’s website.