Exploring End of Life options for Solar Photo voltaic systems in remote and regional areas

Rapid diffusion of solar photovoltaics (PV) systems is now leading to increased volumes of decommissioned PV’s ending up in landfills. It is important to plan effective management of end of life (EOL) of PV’s to mitigate the environmental and economic impact of this rapidly increasing waste stream. Our recent study mapping spread of solar PV systems across Northern Territory clearly indicates the need for context specific solutions for remote and regional contexts that do not have the volumes for economies of scale for recycling and suffer from tyranny of distance. On one hand there are isolated off grid small systems in communities and on the other large solar farms. The findings of this study will benefit states and territories which are transiting to using solar energy as an alternate but have yet to plan for its EOL environmental and economic costs.