Debunking National Party MP’s False Solar Panel Recycling Claim

A senior National Party politician has stirred controversy by claiming that solar panels cannot be recycled in Australia, but experts have refuted this assertion, stating that the majority of panel components can indeed be recycled within the country.

Despite the claims made by Nationals MP Michael McCormack, experts in the field have highlighted that both glass and metal frames from solar panels are currently being recycled locally. Several Australian-based companies have confirmed their ability to recycle up to 90 per cent of the materials found in solar panels.

Clarifying the Situation

During an interview with ABC News 24, McCormack expressed his satisfaction at the cancellation of a proposed solar farm in NSW. He raised concerns about the environmental impact of the project, stating that the solar panels, which he claimed could not be recycled, would have covered a vast area near Yass in southern NSW.

However, a video of the interview uploaded to YouTube allowed for the verification of McCormack’s comments, which were found to be at odds with the reality of solar panel recycling in Australia.

Expert Insights

Experts such as Nick Florin from the University of Technology Sydney have highlighted the advancements in glass component recycling, which have significantly increased the overall recycling capacity of solar panels. The challenge now lies in finding markets for the recycled glass, with some recyclers repurposing it into construction materials.

Rong Deng, a sustainability expert at the University of NSW, emphasised that several recyclers in Australia can now process over 80 per cent, and in some cases, over 90 per cent, of solar panels by weight. This development is crucial as the industry prepares to decommission grid-scale projects in the future.

Innovative Recycling Solutions

Companies like Elecsome and Pan Pacific Recycling are at the forefront of innovative recycling methods for solar panels. Elecsome’s Victorian plant transforms solar panel glass into industrial concrete, while Pan Pacific Recycling repurposes the glass for benchtops and tiles.

John Hill, director of Pan Pacific Recycling, emphasised that the notion that solar panel recycling is impossible is a myth that has been debunked by their successful operations. He highlighted the readiness of their facilities to commence full-scale recycling operations pending council approval.

Australian-based companies such as Sircel and Lotus Recycling are also actively involved in the recycling of solar panels, further solidifying the growing market for sustainable panel disposal in the country.