Solar Panel Recycling Perth: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
For homeowners searching for solar panel recycling Perth options, the situation is improving but the national system is still developing. The Australian Government has funded a national recycling pilot, while WA has separately committed funding for local solar-panel collection and recycling pathways. If you are replacing an older Perth solar system, confirm how the existing panels will be removed, transported and handled rather than assuming a nearby free recycling service is already available.
Australis Solar is a Perth-based, WA-owned solar company operating since 2008. We assess existing systems before recommending whether they should be retained, expanded or replaced.
Solar Panel Recycling Perth: Current 2026 Status
Several different announcements are easy to confuse. The national recycling pilot, WA's new recycling investment and WA's existing e-waste rules are separate measures. Understanding the difference helps Perth homeowners avoid assuming services or rebates are already available when they may not be.
National Solar Panel Recycling Pilot
The Australian Government is investing $24.7 million over three years. The pilot is intended to establish around 100 collection sites and recycle up to 250,000 panels from households, businesses and some solar farms. The program is designed to test collection, transport and recycling arrangements and inform a possible longer-term national product stewardship approach.
WA is building its own recycling pathways
In June 2026, the WA Government announced $17.8 million for solar-panel and embedded-battery recycling initiatives. Of that amount, $13 million is intended to establish collection, transport and processing pathways for end-of-life solar panels from households and solar farms.
Solar panels are not yet covered by the initial e-waste landfill ban
WA's e-waste landfill regulations began in July 2024, but the WA Government currently states that solar panels and photovoltaics are not included in the initial regulated categories. Future phases may change this position as collection and recycling capacity develops.
What Should You Do With Old Solar Panels in Perth?
Responsible solar panel disposal starts before the panels come off the roof. If you are replacing or upgrading a system, establish why the panels are being removed, who is performing the electrical work and what the intended end-of-life pathway is.
First decide whether replacement is actually necessary
An older system is not automatically a failed system. Check its condition, inverter support, solar production and whether the existing equipment can still meet your household's needs before deciding to remove it.
Use appropriately qualified people for decommissioning
Solar panels can continue producing DC electricity while exposed to light. Electrical isolation and disconnection should therefore be completed by appropriately licensed and qualified people rather than treating the array as ordinary household waste.
Ask what will happen to the old equipment
Establish whether functional equipment has a legitimate reuse pathway or whether the panels are being sent to an appropriate recycling facility. Ask about transport, acceptance requirements and any applicable costs before removal occurs.
Check current Perth drop-off options before travelling
Collection arrangements vary. Use the WA Government-supported Recycle Right service, your local council and specialist recycling providers to check current options, and confirm that a facility accepts photovoltaic panels before transporting them.
Include removal in the scope of a solar upgrade
If an existing system is being replaced, clarify removal and end-of-life handling while the new system is being designed. This avoids leaving old panels without an agreed destination after installation.
Solar Panel Recycling Perth and Solar Upgrades: What Australis Solar Assesses
Australis Solar works with Perth homeowners and businesses whose existing solar system is ageing, undersized, faulty or no longer suitable for future energy requirements. We assess the existing installation before recommending whether it should be retained, expanded, reconfigured or replaced.
Older or undersized solar
Your electricity usage may have increased beyond what the original system was designed to offset.
Failing or unsupported inverter
An inverter problem can create an opportunity to assess the complete system rather than replacing equipment without considering future requirements.
Battery or blackout plans
Existing inverter architecture, available solar production, switchboard condition and equipment location affect battery and backup options.
Future EV charging
A larger future electrical load may justify reassessing solar capacity, inverter capacity, battery storage and charging strategy together.
Our assessment can consider
How a Perth Solar Upgrade Is Assessed
The objective is not simply to remove old panels. Australis Solar first establishes what is working, what is limiting the property and what the next system needs to achieve.
Send your system information
Provide your property address, recent Synergy bill, photos of the inverter and switchboard, and any existing system information available.
Assess the existing system
We review the panels, inverter, roof layout, usage, electrical supply and compatibility with your proposed future loads.
Compare practical options
Depending on the property, the solution may involve retaining equipment, adding capacity, replacing an inverter or designing a complete replacement system.
Confirm scope and approvals
The proposal identifies the equipment, electrical work, applicable network requirements and any agreed removal of the existing system.
Install and commission
Australis Solar's in-house team completes the agreed electrical installation, testing, commissioning, monitoring setup and handover.
Why Choose Australis Solar When Replacing an Older System?
Australis Solar is a Perth-based, WA-owned solar company operating since 2008. We design, install and maintain custom solar, battery storage, blackout backup and EV charging systems using accredited in-house installers and licensed electricians.
Operating since 2008
Long-term experience across older rooftop solar, current equipment and changing Western Australian installation requirements.
In-house installation
Accredited solar installers and licensed electricians provide clearer accountability from assessment through commissioning.
Designed around actual usage
Recommendations consider your Synergy bill, roof, shading, usage and future battery, backup or EV goals rather than a generic package size.
Ongoing system support
Australis Solar also provides solar maintenance, fault assessment, inverter replacement and system upgrades across Perth.
Solar Panel Recycling Perth FAQs
These answers reflect the Australian and Western Australian information available when this page was updated in August 2026. Recycling programs and acceptance arrangements can change, so confirm current requirements before disposing of or transporting panels.
Can solar panels be recycled in Perth?
Yes. Solar panel recycling services exist in Western Australia, and both the Australian and WA governments are investing in larger collection and recycling pathways. Availability, accepted panel types, transport arrangements and fees can still vary, so confirm the destination before panels are removed or transported.
Where can I take old solar panels in Perth?
Check Recycle Right, your local council and specialist recycling providers for current drop-off or collection options, and confirm that the facility accepts photovoltaic panels before travelling. If the panels are being removed during a solar upgrade, agree the handling and destination of the old equipment as part of the project scope.
Are solar panels banned from landfill in WA?
Not under the initial phase of WA's regulated e-waste landfill ban. The WA Government states that solar panels and photovoltaics are not currently included in the initial regulated categories. Future rules may change, and individual facilities can have their own acceptance requirements.
Is the National Solar Panel Recycling Pilot operating in Perth?
At the time of this page update, the Australian Government had funded a national pilot intended to establish around 100 collection sites and recycle up to 250,000 panels. DCCEEW's current published solar-panel page said the pilot administrator would be announced when procurement was finalised, so homeowners should check the official page for confirmed collection locations rather than assume a local site is already available.
Does the national pilot make solar panel removal free?
No. DCCEEW states that the pilot will not cover the cost of decommissioning or purchasing solar panels. Removal, transport or other project costs may still apply depending on the job and the recycling pathway.
Do I need an electrician to remove rooftop solar panels?
Solar panels are part of an electrical generation system and can produce DC electricity when exposed to light. Electrical isolation and disconnection should be completed by appropriately licensed and qualified people. Do not open or alter solar electrical equipment yourself.
Should I replace an older solar system or keep it?
Age alone is not enough reason to replace a working system. The decision should consider panel and inverter condition, current output, remaining support, roof space, your Synergy usage, switchboard, network requirements and whether you are planning a battery, blackout backup or EV charging. Australis Solar can assess whether retaining, expanding or replacing the system is the more practical option.
Planning to Replace Old Solar Panels in Perth?
Before removing a working system, let Australis Solar assess what you already have and what your property actually needs next. We can review the existing solar, Synergy usage, roof, inverter, switchboard and future battery, blackout backup or EV charging goals before recommending an upgrade pathway.
Useful information to provide includes:
- a recent Synergy bill;
- your property address;
- photos of the existing inverter and switchboard;
- available panel or system details;
- your reason for considering replacement or expansion;
- future battery, backup or EV charging plans.