Maybe you’re upgrading an old system. Maybe you need a new roof, or a storm has cracked a panel. Either way, you now have a pile of glass and metal that won’t fit in the wheelie bin.
So where do old solar panels go in Perth? The short version: get a licensed electrician to take them down, then send them to a solar recycler. WA doesn’t ban solar panels from landfill yet. But recycling is the better choice, and new options are on the way.
This guide covers the rules in WA, where to take old panels in Perth, and what to do with the inverter, rails and battery.
For now, yes. WA’s ban on sending e-waste to landfill started on 1 July 2024. But the first stage of the ban does not include solar panels.
The ban also applies to businesses, waste companies and landfill sites, not to households. Even so, the State Government asks households to use e-waste drop-off points instead of their bins.
There are two catches:
Across Australia, only about 17% of old solar panels are recycled, according to the federal government. Dumping panels may be legal in WA today. But it wastes glass, aluminium and silicon that can be used again.
WA has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar in Australia. That means a lot of panels will need replacing in the next ten years. Both the State and federal governments are now spending money on this.
No dates have been set yet for new WA drop-off sites. So check what’s open near you when you book the work. Options should improve over the next year or two.
Solar panels age slowly. They lose a little power each year, and many still work well after 20 years, even in Perth’s heat. Our guide on how long solar panels last in Perth explains what to expect.
Before you plan to get rid of them, think about why they’re coming off:
If the panels really do need to go, the next step is getting them down safely.
Solar panels make electricity whenever light hits them. This happens even when your inverter is turned off. That’s why WA treats removing them as electrical work.
WA’s electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy, says that removing electrical equipment counts as electrical work. Home solar systems run at voltages that need a licensed electrician who works for a licensed electrical contractor. Doing this work without a licence is an offence in WA.
The rails and brackets aren’t electrical. But the panels can’t come off until they’ve been safely disconnected. Add a hot Perth roof in January, and it’s a job best left to the experts.
If your panels are coming off as part of an upgrade, the easiest option is to have your installer take them away. Ask these questions before you sign:
A good installer will answer all three clearly.
Perth has at least one dedicated solar recycler. The City of Armadale lists WA Solar Recycling at 104B Gavour Road, Wattle Grove. The council says it takes solar panels, rails, inverters and solar cables. It also lists free drop-off and free pick-up. It may even pay a little for items that still work. Call ahead to check what they accept before you load the trailer.
A recycler breaks each panel down into glass, aluminium, copper and silicon. These materials can then be used again. That’s the best result for a panel at the end of its life.
Panels that still work can have a second life. People use them on sheds, caravans and other off-grid setups. Have them tested first, so the buyer knows what they’re getting.
Thinking of putting second-hand panels on a house that’s connected to the grid? Talk to a licensed installer first. The system must meet current standards and connection rules.
A solar upgrade often involves more than just panels.
Most people only think about disposal when they upgrade. Doing things in the right order saves time and money.
Most panels work for decades and lose a little power each year. Perth’s heat plays a part. Our guide to how long solar panels last in Perth explains what to expect and the signs to watch for.
If your panels are getting old, start by finding out what’s worth keeping. Middle Swan Solar services and upgrades solar systems across Perth, north and south of the river. We’ll tell you honestly what needs replacing and what doesn’t.
