Spark Renewables Participates in PV Industries’ Circular Solar Trial
20 April 2022
A project funded by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority
Spark Renewables is proud to announce its participation in the Circular Solar Trial, conducted by a leading solar panel recycling and resource recovery company in Australia, PV Industries.
The project brings together a collaborative and industry-led approach to develop solar panel recycling and end-of-life solutions for the solar and lithium-ion battery economies.
This project has been funded under the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) Circular Solar grants program. The EPA is supporting this project through its Circular Solar Grants Program with funding of $997,969.
Circular Solar Trial project outcomes
- Develop a novel solar panel recycling process for use in NSW by PV Industries.
- Establish a metro and regional collection and logistics network in partnership with local government and Greentech Sydney.
- Activate end-markets for recovered solar panel glass in partnership with University of New South Wales’ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and John Holland.
- Enable future opportunities for solar panel reuse, in partnership with UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.
- Improved procedures for safe handling and transport of lithium-ion batteries, in partnership with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
- Assessment of the solar industry to identify solar panel recycling market challenges and opportunities, in partnership with University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, NSW Circular, Maoneng and Spark Renewables.
The project, which commenced in early 2021, will improve safe handling and transport procedures, establish a collection and logistics network for urban and regional NSW, optimise solar panel recycling and processing techniques, develop new end-markets for recovered materials and enable future market opportunities for reuse.
Spark Renewables: Knowledge is power
Spark Renewables is excited to partner with PV Industries in its project to develop a resource recovery and recycling solution.
“There is a sense of rising community concern over what happens with solar modules after they are no longer useable on-site, and we are deeply committed to finding sustainable end-of-life solutions for these modules,” said Anthony Marriner, Head of Spark Renewables.
“Through its partnership with PV Industries, Spark Renewables will provide data from the Bomen Solar Farm to the UTS and will allow UNSW to use Bomen Solar Farm as a testing ground for its Solar Panel Triage Unit technology,” explained Mr Marriner.
“We look forward to the industry and the broader community reaping the benefits of this project, and ones like it, by increasing diversion of solar panel waste from landfill, stimulating economic activity, and promoting a safe and sustainable circular solar economy in NSW.”
“The EPA’s Circular Solar Grants program is directly focused on finding solutions to the emerging solar panel waste stream,” said Kristie Brown, Director of Circular Economy Programs, NSW EPA.
“It’s a program that supports the type of trials proposed by PV Industries – collaborative ‘whole of supply chain’ projects that provide innovative solutions to manage end-of-life solar panels and battery systems. It’s all part of building the circular economy of the future in NSW.”
Read the full media release by PV Industries and NSW EPA.
This program was made possible thanks to funding from the NSW EPA’s Circular Solar grants program.
ENDS
Contact:
Will Stone, Head of Development
M: +61 468 745 736
E: will.stone@stage.sparkrenewables.com
About Spark Renewables
Spark Renewables is a leading developer and long-term owner and operator of renewable energy generation assets. Our operational portfolio comprises the 100MW Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga which commenced operations in 2020. Our development portfolio includes wind, solar and storage projects in the National Electricity Market.
Spark Renewables is owned by the Spark Infrastructure Group – an owner of leading essential energy infrastructure, including generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure across Australia.
Spark Renewables is a member of the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and a signatory to the CEC’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Developments.
About PV Industries
PV Industries is leading solar panel recycling and resource recovery in Australia. They have facilities in Sydney and Melbourne while they continue to expand their collection and logistics network. They offer services for collection, logistics, recycling and resource recovery of solar panels and associated solar equipment. PV Industries is a member of the Australian Photovoltaic Institute. For more information on PV Industries: www.pvindustries.com.au
About NSW EPA The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the primary environmental regulator for New South Wales. They partner with business, government and the community to reduce pollution and waste, protect human health, and prevent degradation of the environment. For more information, visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Download Media Release: Spark Renewables Participates in PV Industries’ Circular Solar Trial