SAY NO TO SOLAR PANEL LANDFILL
SAY YES TO SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING

Pioneering Australia’s Solar Recycling Movement

As Australia embraces renewable energy at scale, a new challenge is emerging: what happens to solar panels at the end of their life?

SOLAREC SA was founded in Adelaide to answer that question with innovation, responsibility, and purpose. We are proud to be Australia’s first dedicated photovoltaic (PV) Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)—a critical piece of infrastructure enabling the sustainable lifecycle of solar technology and ensuring no solar panel ever has to go to landfill..

THE FIRST STEP IN PV RECYCLING

At SOLAREC SA, we understand that successful solar recycling begins well before materials reach a furnace or smelter—it starts with smart, sustainable recovery.

As Australia’s first dedicated PV Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), we serve as the critical link between solar waste collection and advanced material recycling. Like other MRFs in the waste and resource recovery sector, our facility plays a foundational role:

  • Receiving, sorting, and pre-processing end-of-life solar panels
  • Separating key components like glass, metals, plastics, and silicon
  • Preparing clean material streams ready for specialised downstream recyclers and manufacturers

Expertise For Results

At SOLAREC SA, we combine technical precision, industry insight, and a deep understanding of the solar value chain to deliver measurable sustainability outcomes for our partners.

As Australia’s first PV-dedicated Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), our team brings together specialists in:

  • Photovoltaic system lifecycle management
  • Resource recovery and materials science
  • Environmental compliance and regulatory frameworks
  • MRF operations and solar panel dismantling technology

We’ve invested in advanced separation technologies designed specifically for solar panels—allowing us to efficiently recover high-value components

Our Team

The SOLAREC SA team brings together experts in solar technology, materials recovery, environmental engineering, and circular economy strategy. United by a commitment to sustainability and innovation, we are building Australia’s first PV recycling ecosystem— starting the process of recovering valuable resources and reshaping the future of renewable energy, one panel at a time.

Nghi Thanh Nguyen

DIRECTOR

Our Sustainable Advisor specializes in sustainable energy solutions, guiding clients toward eco-friendly and successful practices.

JAN BARTOSEK

CEO

Jan Bartosek is an experienced sustainability leader driving innovation in circular energy solutions, with deep expertise in PV recycling, resource recovery, and clean-tech commercialisation.

Long Duc Nguyen

DIRECTOR

Our Strategy Consultant crafts innovative plans and strategy to drive growth and profitability for clients world wide.

Our Strengths

SOLAREC SA’s strength lies in being Australia’s first dedicated PV Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)—expertly preparing, sorting, and streamlining solar panel materials for specialised recycling, not conducting the final recycling ourselves.

Sustainable END OF LIFE Strategy

FUTURE PV Business Planning

SCALABLE Solutions to meet market demands

ESSENTIAL

Feedstock generation.

THE FUTURE OF PV DISPOSAL

These are just a few examples of our successful collaborations with forward-thinking businesses. Each project represents a commitment to excellence and a dedication to sustainable growth.

01

End Of Life Utility Initiative

In partnership with a South Australian utility-scale solar farm, SOLAREC SA launched the End of Life Utility Initiative to manage the decommissioning of over 500 end-of-life panels. As a PV Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), SOLAREC SA expertly disassembled and sorted the panels into clean material streams—glass, aluminium, silicon, and copper—ready for downstream recyclers. This initiative diverted solar waste from landfill and set a new benchmark for responsible asset retirement in Australia’s renewable sector. The project demonstrated the essential role of MRFs in scaling circular solutions within the utility-scale solar industry.

Project manager: Jan Bartosek

Project duration: 7 months

02

Strategic Installer Capability 

SOLAREC SA partners with solar installers to streamline the decommissioning of end-of-life PV systems through our dedicated Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) services. We offer tailored logistics support, secure drop-off or collection options, and expert disassembly to prepare materials for compliant downstream recycling. By managing the complex front-end of the recycling process, we reduce labour, ensure environmental compliance, and enhance sustainability outcomes for your projects. Installers benefit from a reliable, efficient solution that meets growing regulatory and customer expectations for responsible solar waste management. Partner with SOLAREC SA to strengthen your circular service offering and environmental leadership.

Project manager: JanBartosek

Project duration: Ongoing

03

National Market Expansion Strategy

SOLAREC SA is more than a facility—it’s a blueprint for Australia’s solar circularity future. As the nation’s first dedicated PV Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), we are setting the standard for safe, scalable, and sustainable solar panel material recovery. With millions of panels approaching end-of-life, Australia will require 30 or more PV MRFs by 2030 to manage the volume responsibly. Our operations in South Australia demonstrate a replicable model for other regions, combining technical precision, regulatory compliance, and industry collaboration. SOLAREC SA is actively engaging national partners to support the rollout of frontline MRF infrastructure across the country.

Project manager: Peter Hopkins

Project duration: 12 months

04

Renewable Energy Optimisation

The next stage in the evolution of the PV MRF is integrating an off-grid renewable energy solution powered by viable, reused solar panels recovered during decommissioning. At SOLAREC SA, panels that retain functional output are safely tested, reconfigured, and repurposed to supply clean energy for on-site operations—reducing our carbon footprint and demonstrating the extended value of second-life PV assets. This initiative not only maximises material utilisation but also showcases the full potential of circular energy solutions. By transforming our facility into a living model of solar reuse, we aim to lead by example in renewable energy optimisation.

Project manager: Max Johnson

Project duration: 29 months

SOLAR END OF LIFE INITIATIVE

The Critical Role of PV MRFs in Australia’s Solar Waste Response

As the number of solar panels reaching end-of-life accelerates, Australia faces an urgent challenge: how to responsibly manage growing volumes of PV waste in the absence of fully operational, large-scale recycling facilities. With true downstream PV recycling infrastructure still at least two years away—not expected until 2027 or beyond—there is a pressing need for an immediate, scalable, and nationally coordinated response.


This is where PV Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) play a critical role.


MRFs like SOLAREC SA provide the essential first step in the solar recycling process: receiving, dismantling, sorting, and preparing end-of-life panels into clean material streams. By doing so, we prevent valuable materials from entering landfill and create ongoing, high-quality feedstock ready for future recycling technologies.


Without a robust network of PV MRFs, Australia risks stockpiling unusable panels or mismanaging materials, delaying the transition to a truly circular solar economy.


SOLAREC SA’s facility in South Australia is not only addressing this gap locally—it is also serving as a national blueprint for the 30+ PV MRFs that will be required by 2030 to support a sustainable solar lifecycle across the country.

Get In Touch

Ready to dispose of solar panels?
Contact us today for collection and disposal services.

ADDRESS: 221 Hanson Rd, Athol Park, Adelaide, SA 5012
TEL:  +61 8 8121 8080

SOLARE SA