Solar Panel Recycling: Big Problem or Massive Opportunity? (feat. PV Industries)

We chat to Tim Dawson, the founder of PV industries, an Australian startup on a mission to recycle solar panels (and soon, batteries too!). 

In Australia we have A LOT of solar! Currently over 3 million (or 1 in 3) households have solar. Australia has over 25 GW of solar capacity now installed which on a per person basis is 1kw per person, 30% greater than any other country. But what will happen to all these solar panels once they reach the end of their life? 

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Tim Dawson, co-founder and CEO of PV Industries is on a mission to ensure that solar panels can be 100% recycled. PV Industries has created a recycling line that can pull apart a solar panel into its raw components and then sell them to various industries for reuse. 

In the episode we cover: 

• How Tim and his co-founders started the business
• What happens to solar panels at the moment once they stop working
• The key inputs to a solar panel and those that are the most valuable to recover
• The future of solar, solar recycling and what other industries might need to consider either recycling or a whole reinvention of their mode of doing business

Some more reading if you’re interested in the topic

• If you liked the sound of Tim’s description of an “Emu Parade”, you can follow along here
• Solar recycling: has anyone worked out how to do it yet?
• And... if the circular economy gets you going, you should speak to Cam Kaufman

About the podcast

A Positive Climate is an uplifting podcast about tackling climate change. An inspiring look at the products, people and technologies making a real difference.

Hosted by Australian climate technology experts Alex McIntosh and Nick Zeltzer, two friends on a mission to find the solutions to keep our existential crises at bay. We cover it all on the show while keeping things optimistic and accessible: electric planes, waste eating maggots, plant-based meats, hydrogen made from beer, the solar revolution, the coolest new sustainable products and much much more.

If you’re passionate about the environment, the latest clean technology or just want to know how to get involved in the movement, this podcast is for you!

Music by the late, great Nick Weaver

Production by our hero Mark Spencer from Here.Media

Socials by the legend Rebecca Sather Jenkins

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