If your panels are getting old, hail-damaged, or you’re upgrading the system, you’re not alone.
WA has a rising wave of end‑of‑life solar gear, and handling it properly keeps valuable materials out of landfill and protects local environments.
The short version: don’t chuck panels in the kerbside bin.
Recycle through approved solar recyclers in WA, ask your installer about a take‑back service, or use council e‑waste drop‑offs that accept PV modules.
Many providers will collect, de‑install, and transport your panels, then recover aluminium frames, glass, and silicon so they can be used again.
Some brands run product stewardship programs too, which can trim costs. Curious about price, who to call, and how the handover works?
You’ll get a clear, step‑by‑step plan from booking removal to drop‑off, plus tips to avoid damage in transit and a checklist for safe disconnection.
Easy, practical, and tailored for WA homes and businesses—so you can do the right thing without the drama.
Why Solar Panel Disposal Matters in Western Australia
Across WA, more solar panels are reaching the end of their working life every year. Some have been running for two decades, others have been knocked out early by storms, hail, or faulty components.
When these panels end up in landfill, they bring real environmental risks. Each panel contains valuable aluminium, glass, and silicon, along with trace amounts of heavy metals. In landfill, those metals can leach into soil and waterways, creating long-term contamination problems.
Recycling changes that story. Instead of losing these materials forever, specialised facilities can recover up to 95% of a panel’s components for reuse in new products. That keeps resources in the loop and cuts the need for fresh mining.
WA has set strong waste management goals, including diverting more e-waste from landfill and pushing for a circular economy.
Solar panels are now part of that focus, and future regulations are expected to make recycling the default option.
By choosing proper disposal, households and businesses help hit those state targets, reduce waste, and protect the very environment solar power was designed to save in the first place.
What Happens to Old Solar Panels in WA
In Western Australia, most solar panels last around 25 to 30 years before their performance drops noticeably.
This decline is gradual—about 0.25% to 1% efficiency loss per year after the first slight dip in year one.
Well-installed and maintained systems can still generate power beyond 30 years, but by the 25-year mark, output usually sits at around 80% of the original capacity.
Common causes of solar panel failure in WA include:
- Microcracks – Tiny fractures in silicon cells from handling or temperature changes.
- Overheating – Hotspots from junction box or diode issues that damage materials.
- Diode failure – Faulty bypass diodes that interrupt current flow.
- Delamination – Separation of layers that lets moisture in, causing corrosion.
- Environmental factors – Dust, UV, heat stress, and moisture damage.
- Faulty connections – Loose or poorly made wiring creating resistance and heat.
- Potential Induced Degradation (PID) – Voltage stress causing leakage currents.
At the end of their life, WA panels often enter general waste or e-waste streams. The state’s recycling network achieved a 65% recycling rate in 2023–24, but solar panel-specific facilities remain limited.
Some Perth companies now collect and recycle panels, recovering glass, aluminium, and silicon.
These efforts support WA’s broader waste strategy, which focuses on reducing landfill, boosting recovery rates, and building a circular economy—though more investment is needed to scale solar panel recycling across the state.
Solar Panel Recycling Options in Western Australia
Western Australia is steadily building up its solar panel recycling capabilities to deal with the increasing number of end-of-life panels.
While large-scale, fully automated panel-separation facilities are still limited in the state, several approved companies already offer responsible and compliant recycling services.
Approved Recycling Facilities and Companies in WA:
- Ecoactiv – Provides Perth-wide solar panel recycling with local pickup and drop-off. Panels are taken to accredited facilities where glass, aluminium, silicon, and other materials are recovered.
- PV Industries – An Australian-owned company offering panel collection, decommissioning, and recycling across WA. They recover high-value materials for reuse in manufacturing.
- Reclaim PV – Operates nationally with WA collection and drop-off points, helping reduce solar waste sent to landfill.
- Collins Recycling – Based in Perth, Collins Recycling accepts old solar panels for safe recycling. They recover materials like aluminium, glass, copper, and silicon, ensuring they are reused rather than sent to landfill.
Step-by-Step Solar Panel Recycling Process in WA:
- Removal – Accredited installers safely remove panels to avoid breakage or contamination.
- Collection – Arrange pickup from companies like Ecoactiv or drop panels at approved sites.
- Assessment – Determine if panels can be reused or need full recycling.
- Transport – Move panels to accredited facilities under compliance standards.
- Material Separation – Mechanically and thermally separate components into glass, aluminium frames, silicon cells, wiring, and plastics.
- Recovery & Repurposing – Recovered materials are sent to manufacturers for reuse.
- Certification – Customers receive proof of responsible disposal.
By using these services, WA households and businesses can keep solar waste out of landfill, recover valuable materials, and contribute to the state’s sustainability targets.
Responsible removal and approved recyclers are the key to ensuring panels are processed in an environmentally sound way.
How Much Does It Cost to Dispose of Solar Panels in WA?
The cost of disposing of solar panels in Western Australia depends on a few key factors: the number of panels, the distance to a recycling facility, and whether removal is included.
On average, recycling fees range from $10 to $30 per panel when dropped off at an approved site. Some recyclers offer bulk pricing for larger systems, which can lower the per-panel rate.
If you need panels removed from your roof, professional removal services in WA can cost between $150 and $300 depending on system size, roof type, and accessibility.
Transport fees may also apply if you’re using a collection service, with typical charges of $50 to $150 for metropolitan pickups and more for regional areas.
In some cases, disposal can be free under government or manufacturer take-back schemes.
Programs like the Federal Government’s emerging Product Stewardship for PV Systems and certain brand-specific recycling initiatives cover recycling costs for eligible customers.
To keep costs down, it’s worth checking if your local council has partnered with recycling companies for e-waste drop-off events or ongoing collection points.
This way, you can ensure your panels are processed responsibly without paying more than you need.
DIY Solar Panel Removal vs. Professional Services
Taking solar panels off your roof might look straightforward, but in WA it’s a job that carries serious safety and legal considerations.
DIY removal can put you at risk of electric shock, falls, and damage to your roof or panels. Solar panels generate electricity whenever they’re exposed to light, so even “switched off” systems can deliver dangerous voltages.
Structural hazards—like working at heights without proper harnessing—add to the danger.
Accredited solar installers have the training, safety gear, and insurance to carry out removals without putting you or your property at risk.
They also follow the Clean Energy Council standards for decommissioning, ensuring your panels are disconnected correctly, packed for transport, and taken to approved recycling facilities.
Using a professional also means your warranty (if still active) won’t be voided, and you’ll often get a recycling certificate confirming responsible disposal.
| Factor | DIY Removal | Professional Removal |
| Cost | Low upfront, but risk of damage can be costly | Higher upfront, includes safe removal & compliance |
| Safety | High risk of electrical shock & falls | Trained, licensed, and insured |
| Roof Integrity | Possible roof or panel damage | Careful removal with minimal risk |
| Legal Compliance | May breach safety & electrical regulations | Meets WA safety and electrical standards |
| Recycling Process | Must arrange transport & recycling yourself | Often includes delivery to approved recycler |
What Can Be Reused from Old Solar Panels?
Even when a solar panel has reached the end of its efficient life, it still holds materials and components that can be put to good use.
By recycling or repurposing these parts, you keep valuable resources in circulation and reduce the demand for new raw materials.
Glass
Solar panels are mostly made of tempered glass, which can be recovered and used in products like insulation, new glass sheets, or construction materials. Recycling processes can reclaim up to 95% of the glass in a panel.
Silicon
The silicon cells inside a panel can be purified and reused in new photovoltaic modules or in the electronics industry. Even lower-grade recovered silicon can be used in other manufacturing processes, reducing waste.
Aluminium Frames
Aluminium is easy to recycle and highly valuable. Recovered frames are melted down and used in everything from new solar frames to building products and automotive parts.
Secondary Use for Functioning Panels
Panels that still produce power, even at reduced efficiency, can be resold or donated for use in sheds, caravans, community projects, or off-grid applications.
Upcycling Ideas
Creative reuse can give old panels a second life—as garden trellises, greenhouse roofs, or outdoor shade structures, adding a sustainable touch to backyard projects.
Preparing Your Solar Panels for Disposal
Before sending your panels off for recycling, a few simple steps will make the process safer and smoother.
Always start by having the system disconnected by a licensed electrician or accredited solar installer.
Solar panels can still generate electricity in sunlight, so safe isolation is essential to avoid electrical shock.
Once removed, protect your panels during transport. Stack them face-to-face with padding between each panel to prevent scratches or cracks.
Secure them with straps or wrap them in protective material so they won’t shift in transit. If frames or junction boxes are loose, remove or secure them to avoid damage.
Contact your chosen recycler in advance to check any requirements. Some may only accept panels at certain times or locations, while others offer collection services.
A quick call can confirm costs, drop-off points, and whether they provide recycling certificates for proof of responsible disposal.
Environmental Benefits of Solar Panel Recycling in WA
Recycling solar panels in Western Australia keeps large volumes of waste out of landfill. A single residential solar system can contain 15–30 panels, each weighing around 20 kg.
When sent to landfill, that’s hundreds of kilos of glass, aluminium, silicon, and plastics that are lost and can potentially harm the environment.
Recycling ensures valuable materials are recovered rather than wasted. Glass from panels can be used in insulation or new products, aluminium frames can be melted down for manufacturing, and silicon can be purified for reuse in electronics or new PV modules.
Recovering these resources reduces the need for mining and the associated energy, water, and land impacts.
Solar panel recycling also supports WA’s circular economy goals. By keeping materials in use for as long as possible, recycling creates new supply chains, supports local jobs, and reduces reliance on imported raw materials.
This approach turns old panels from waste into a resource, helping ensure the solar industry remains sustainable from installation through to end-of-life management.
Key Takeaway
Sorting out old solar panels in WA doesn’t have to be a headache. The main thing is keeping them out of landfill and making sure the valuable parts—like glass, aluminium, and silicon—get a second life.
With a growing number of local recyclers, drop-off points, and collection services, getting panels removed and recycled is easier than ever.
The safest way forward is to have them taken down by a licensed installer, then sent to an approved recycling facility.
This protects your roof, keeps you safe, and ensures the panels are handled the right way. Some services even give you a recycling certificate so you know the job’s been done properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put old solar panels in my council bin in WA?
No. Solar panels can’t go in kerbside bins. Use council e-waste drop-offs or approved recyclers instead.
Are solar panels considered hazardous waste in WA?
Yes, in part. They contain small amounts of heavy metals, so they must be handled and recycled properly.
How long do solar panels last in WA?
Typically 25–30 years, with efficiency dropping to about 80% after 25 years under WA conditions.
Who collects solar panels for recycling in WA?
Companies like Ecoactiv, PV Industries, Reclaim PV, and Collins Recycling offer pickup or drop-off services.
Is there a free recycling program for solar panels in WA?
Some councils, manufacturers, or government programs may cover costs. Check local initiatives and product stewardship schemes.