Huge solar project commits one million panels for end-of-life recycling and reuse
Nearly one million panels from the 400 MW Stubbo Solar Farm in NSW have been committed to end-of-life recycling before the project reaches full operation.
Developer Acen Australia says the move “embeds circularity” from the start — setting a new benchmark for large-scale solar sustainability.
Stubbo becomes the first major project to meet independent Circular PV Alliance (CPVA) standards for commercially viable circular management.
The project received an “exceeds” rating from CPVA for taking a whole-of-lifecycle approach that prioritises reuse over waste.
Acen’s David Pollington said the goal is to avoid repeating the “extractive model” of past industries by designing for longevity and renewal.
The company hopes Stubbo will inspire others to build circular principles into renewable projects from the beginning.
Acen has over 1 GW of renewable capacity operating or under construction in Australia and 13 GW in development across the National Electricity Market.
Stubbo began generating power earlier this year and will reach full commercial operations by the end of November.
The project was awarded a 20-year Long Term Service Agreement in 2021 under NSW’s first renewable energy and storage auction.
CPVA’s CEO Megan Jones says Acen’s approach helps build the demand and supply chains needed to make solar recycling commercially scalable.