Resources

FAQ & Resources

Common questions about solar panel recovery and links to useful industry resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What you need to know.

What does NSRI do?

NSRI collects, assesses, and manages end-of-life solar panels. We determine whether panels can be refurbished for reuse or need to be recycled for material recovery — ensuring nothing goes to landfill unnecessarily.

Why is solar panel recovery important?

Australia has over 40 million solar panels installed. As these reach end-of-life, there is currently no viable national recycling pathway — most panels are stockpiled or sent to landfill. NSRI is building the infrastructure to solve this.

How does the traceability system work?

Each panel collected by NSRI is assigned a unique QR code identifier. We record key data including condition, output, source, and collection date, then track the panel through to its final outcome — refurbishment or recycling.

Who can partner with NSRI?

We work with local councils, solar installers, commercial asset owners, and government bodies. If your organisation handles or generates end-of-life solar panels, we can help provide a responsible recovery pathway.

Is NSRI involved in government programs?

NSRI is actively engaging with federal and state government programs focused on solar panel waste management, including upcoming pilot programs for large-scale panel recovery.

What happens to panels that can’t be refurbished?

Non-recoverable panels are processed for material recovery. Solar panels contain valuable materials including silicon, silver, copper, and aluminium that can be extracted and reused in manufacturing.

Resources

Industry articles & reports.