Recycling end-of-life solar cell and module materials is critical for the transition to a closed-loop renewable economy. Our work develops practical processing technologies for a robust solar panel recycling infrastructure to be established, to allow for the recovery of valuable materials from used panels, and so reducing unsustainable waste disposal.

Solar power is one of the world’s leading ways to reduce climate change, with immense environmental and financial benefits to be maximised. In our work, we assess and moderate the environmental and financial costs of manufacturing, operating and end-of-life cycling of solar PV materials, especially of silicon wafer solar cells and modules. Our collective expertise further encompasses application of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) assessment tools.

Our people

Leader, UNSW Node of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics Renate Egan
Leader, UNSW Node of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics
COO of Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics Richard Corkish
COO of Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics

Contact us

Find more information on all the interesting projects we’re working on and request access to our materials.

E: r.corkish@unsw.edu.au

Research partnerships

If you’re interested in becoming a postgraduate research candidate at SPREE, please connect with us. We also welcome partnerships with industry and would love to talk to you.

E: b.hoex@unsw.edu.au