SOLAREC Joins UNSW’s ARC Research Hub: Leading the Future of Solar Panel Recycling
At SOLAREC, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with UNSW Sydney as a named industry partner in the newly established ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability. This $5 million initiative, funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), looks to position Australia at the forefront of innovation in solar panel recycling.
Our collaboration with UNSW’s world-class team, led by Professor Yansong Shen, places SOLAREC at the cutting edge of this rapidly evolving sector. The aim of the hub is to develop advanced solar panel recycling technologies, redesign photovoltaic (PV) panels for greater recyclability, and foster a more sustainable solar industry. These efforts will play a crucial role in helping Australia achieve its Net Zero Plan and Waste Action 2030 targets.
Jan Bartosek, CEO of SOLAREC, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:
“At SOLAREC, we are committed to being a leader in the solar recycling industry, and this collaboration with UNSW aligns perfectly with our goals. Working alongside experts such as Prof. Shen and the ARC hub means we are not only supporting cutting-edge research but also helping to bring scalable solutions to market. Together, we can build a greener, more sustainable future.”
Why This Partnership Matters
The rapid expansion of solar installations in Australia presents significant environmental benefits but also a growing challenge—how to manage the increasing volume of end-of-life solar panels. As Australia pushes towards net-zero emissions and embraces the Waste Action 2030 Plan, tackling this issue is vital.
By partnering with UNSW, SOLAREC will support the development of new, more efficient recycling technologies and the design of more durable, easily recyclable PV panels. Prof. Shen interdisciplinary team brings a wealth of expertise across the entire solar recycling value chain, ensuring SOLAREC remains at the forefront of industry advances.
Building a Sustainable Future
At SOLAREC, we are not just focused on being an industry leader but on driving meaningful change for a sustainable future. By collaborating with UNSW’s experts, we aim to create a closed-loop system that reduces waste, promotes solar adoption, and designs panels with recyclability at their core.
Jan Bartosek emphasised, “We’re excited to be working closely with UNSW’s research hub. This partnership will allow us to integrate cutting-edge recycling technologies into our operations and help make solar recycling more cost-effective and scalable across the industry.”
Looking Ahead
SOLAREC is proud to be part of this transformative project, working alongside Prof Shen and the UNSW team to develop innovations that will shape the future of solar panel recycling in Australia. Together, we’re addressing not only today’s challenges but also laying the foundation for a sustainable tomorrow.
Our long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and industry collaboration ensures that we are at the forefront of creating a circular economy for solar panels—one that benefits both the environment and the wider economy.
