ARC Research Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability
About Us
The ARC Hub for PV Recycling and Sustainability (PVRS) is a national research initiative addressing the urgent challenge of managing end-of-life solar panels. As solar energy deployment accelerates globally, our mission is to develop innovative, scalable, and sustainable technologies that enable a truly circular solar economy. Through five interconnected research themes, including advanced recycling processes, safe waste treatment, value-added reuse of recovered materials, policy and standards development, and future-ready solar panel design, we aim to transform solar waste into valuable resources. Led by a multidisciplinary team across UNSW, Swinburne, UQ, UTS, and other partners, the ARC Hub PVRS integrates engineering, environmental science, and policy to deliver impactful solutions for industry and the planet.
Our Challenge
The massive deployment of PV solar panels is critical for achieving global and Australia’s Net Zero 2050 targets. However, without effective end-of-life recycling, these panels risk overwhelming landfills, leading to environmental hazards and wasting valuable materials.
Our Mission
Our mission is to revolutionise the PV industry by developing advanced, scalable, and eco-friendly recycling technologies that transform end-of-life solar panels into valuable resources, driving Australia towards zero PV waste and a sustainable, profitable circular economy.
Research Themes
ARC Hub PVRS will achieve our mission through five Research Themes:
Theme 1: EoL PV panel recycling to materials: processes/reactors design and scale-up
Theme 2: Treatment of off-gas and waste liquids from the recycling processes
Theme 3: Recycled materials’ conversion to value-added products
Theme 4: Technology evaluation, policy informing, and industry standards
Theme 5: New PV panel design for recycled materials’ reuse, ready recycling and improved reliability
