Verdict
Yes, clean energy components can be recycled but the amount depends on the technology type.
Image: Solar, wind and batteries by percentage of what can be recycled. Source: CEC recycling fact sheet
Analysis
Recycling clean energy systems is becoming more important as more are installed and older ones reach the end of their life. While all technologies can be recycled to some extent, the amount varies by type. Here’s a breakdown of each technology.
Solar panels – 95% recyclable
A 2016 report by the International Energy Agency estimates that Australia will generate 145,000 tonnes of waste from solar panels by 20301. Most panels produced today are made of monocrystalline silicon, in which the solar cell is encased in glass with an aluminium frame.
Right now, about 90-95 per cent of the types of panels commonly used in Australia, either on homes or in large scale solar farms, can technically be recycled2. Materials like glass, aluminium frame, copper and junction box can be separated and repurposed3. For example, the glass is being turned into asphalt4 and other elements shredded and added to building materials5.
It is important to note that the types of panels used on solar farms are different to household panels, as they have two sides. This makes recycling more complicated. It’s expected that in 2026, there will be new technology that enables more of the components to be recycled.
The challenge right now is a lack of recycling facilities in Australia to maximise the amount of materials being repurposed. A national approach to recycling solar panels is currently being developed, with the involvement of federal and state governments, industry and business so that capacity can better meet demand6.
Wind turbines – 90% recyclable
By 2033, it is estimated that globally, approximately 200,000 tons of wind turbine blades will need to be recycled per year7.
Wind turbines are expected to last 18 to 25 years and8, at the end of their life, either need to be decommissioned or upgraded. Today, 85 to 100 per cent of the materials used in wind farms, such as steel, copper, and concrete, are recyclable9, 10.
The biggest opportunity to further reduce waste is to find new ways to recycle the turbine blades. For example:
- Shredding to turn the blades into small fibrous components or powdered materials.
- Strong chemical solutions are used to transform the polymer into small molecules to recover fibre.
- Thermal recycling which involves applying heat to melt specific parts and transform into different forms. For example, some companies are turning turbine blades into surfboards11 and sneakers12.
Image 2: Value chain and EOL options for various components for rotor blades of wind power plants. Source – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755008423000121
Batteries – 100% recyclable
Most large-scale and household batteries are made from Lithium-ion batteries, which contain materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These materials can be recovered and reused, decreasing reliance on mining and reducing emissions13.
The materials in a battery can often be used more than once. The first use is in large energy systems. Once its capacity has been reduced, it can be reused in less critical energy storage systems, such as for homes and businesses. Once the battery has no more capacity, the individual materials can be recycled14.
Recycling typically involves collecting end-of-life batteries, extracting critical minerals, and repurposing them for new battery production. This method significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption compared to traditional mining.
Studies have shown that recycling lithium-ion batteries emits less than half the greenhouse gases and uses only a fraction of the water and energy required compared to mining new materials15.
As demand for renewable energy grows, governments are enforcing stricter regulations on battery recycling. The European Union, for example, mandates that at least 70% of lithium from spent batteries must be recycled by 203016.
Beyond reducing environmental harm, battery recycling also strengthens supply chains by creating a circular economy where materials are continually reused rather than discarded17.
As more households adopt solar storage systems, innovations in recycling technology will be important to managing battery waste efficiently.
References
2 – Scoping Study Solar Panel End-of-life Management in Australia
4 – From trial to reality: recycled glass and plastic in asphalt roads | Sustainability Victoria
7 – Recycling of wind turbine blades through modern recycling technologies: A road to zero waste – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755008423000121
8 – Jasińska, D., & Dutkiewicz, M. (2025). Waste management of wind turbine Blades—A review of recycling methods and applications in cementitious composites. Sustainability, 17(3), 805. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030805
9 – Winding up decommissioning, recycling and resource recovery of Australian wind turbines – Wind-turbine-recycling-report-2023.pdf
10 – Recycling of wind turbine blades through modern recycling technologies: A road to zero waste – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755008423000121
11 – Surfboard | Recycled Turbine Blade | ACCIONA Energía
12 – ACCIONA El Ganso sneakers with recycled wind blade sole
13 – Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries Offers Benefits Over Mining Virgin Metals – CleanTechnica (https://cleantechnica.com/2025/02/12/recycling-lithium-ion-batteries-offers-benefits-over-mining-virgin-metals/)
14 – Life Cycle Analysis of Lithium-ion Batteries: An Assessment of Sustainability Impact – https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10080437
15 – Recycling lithium-ion batteries cuts emissions and strengthens supply chain | ScienceDaily](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131194431.htm
16 – Recycling Wind Turbines, Solar Panels and Batteries: Fact Sheet | Clean Energy Council](https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/for-consumers/fact-sheets/recyling-wind-turbines-solar-panels-batteries)
17 – Recycling lithium-ion batteries cuts emissions and strengthens supply chain | ScienceDaily](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131194431.htm)
