Solar panel removal and disposal Brisbane

Why would you need solar panel removal and disposal in Brisbane?

It might seem strange to think about removing your solar panels, especially after going through the process of putting them on your roof. However, there are a few common scenarios where Brisbane homeowners find themselves needing to take their system down.

From my experience, these are the most frequent reasons:

• Roof repairs or replacement: This is the number one reason. Whether it’s fixing a leak, replacing broken tiles, or a full roof restoration, the panels have to come off to give contractors clear access.

• System upgrades: Solar technology moves fast. A system that was top-of-the-line ten years ago might be significantly outperformed by modern panels like those from REC or Trina. Many people choose to remove an older, smaller system to replace it with a larger, more efficient one.

• Damage to the panels: Brisbane is no stranger to severe weather. Hail storms or falling branches can damage panels, necessitating their removal and replacement.

• Demolition or major renovation: If you’re knocking down your home or undergoing a significant extension that impacts the roofline, the solar system will need to be safely decommissioned and removed.

• End-of-life system: Most solar panels have a performance warranty of 25 years. While they can last longer, their efficiency declines over time. Systems installed in the early 2000s are now reaching an age where removal and disposal is a reality.

The solar panel decommissioning process in Brisbane

Removing solar panels isn’t a simple DIY job. It’s a precise electrical process that needs to be done safely and correctly to protect your home, the grid, and the technicians doing the work. When I talk with SAA-accredited installers, they emphasise that decommissioning is essentially an installation in reverse, with a strict focus on safety.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how a professional handles it:

• System isolation and shutdown: The first and most critical step is to completely shut down the system. This involves switching off the inverter and isolating the system from the grid at the switchboard to eliminate any live electrical current.

• Panel disconnection: The installer will get on the roof and disconnect the electrical cables linking the panels to each other and to the inverter.

• Removal of panels and racking: Once electrically safe, the panels are unbolted from the mounting frames (racking). Both the panels and the aluminium racking are carefully lowered from the roof.

• Roof penetration sealing: The installer will seal any penetrations left in the roof from the mounting bolts to ensure it remains waterproof.

• Waste management: The removed components are then sorted for disposal. The aluminium racking and copper wiring are sent to a scrap metal recycler. The panels themselves are prepared for transport to a dedicated recycling facility.

Gigi’s Pro Tip: Always insist that the company removing your panels is a licensed electrical contractor with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) credentials. This is non-negotiable. SAA accreditation ensures they are trained to work safely with solar PV systems and are up-to-date with Australian standards.

Cost of solar panel removal Brisbane

Understanding the costs involved helps you budget properly. The price for solar panel removal in Brisbane is split into two main parts: the labour to get the system off your roof, and the cost to dispose of the panels themselves.

1. Labour Cost for Removal

This is the fee you pay the accredited electrician for their time and expertise.

• Standard Removal (Disposal Only): For a straightforward removal of a residential system from a single-story roof, you can expect the cost to start around $1,250.

• Removal and Reinstall: If you’re taking panels off for a roof repair and plan to put the same ones back on, the pricing structure is often per panel. In Brisbane, a common rate is around $85 per panel (+GST). For a typical 6.6kW system with 20 panels, this would be about $1,700 (+GST).

Factors that can increase the labour cost include:

• Two-story or multi-story homes

• Steeply pitched or complex roofs

• The type of roofing material (tiles can be more time-consuming than tin)

2. Solar Panel Disposal Cost

While residents can drop e-waste at Brisbane City Council resource recovery centres, this isn’t really an option when a professional company removes them. They will take the panels to a dedicated recycling facility.

• Recycling Fee: A specialised Brisbane-based recycler, Pan Pacific Recycling, notes that the process costs them between $10 and $15 per panel after accounting for the value of recovered materials. This fee is typically passed on to you through your removal company.

So, for a 20-panel system, you should budget an additional $200 to $300 for the recycling component.

Solar panel recycling and e-waste disposal Brisbane

Gone are the days of old solar panels ending up in landfill. Not only is it environmentally irresponsible, but the Queensland government is actively working to ensure it doesn’t happen.

As of June 2025, solar panels are no longer classified as “regulated waste” in Queensland. This change simplifies the transport and handling process, making it much easier for installers to get them to recycling centres.

Brisbane is home to dedicated recycling facilities that can recover the valuable materials within a panel. For example, Pan Pacific Recycling, located south of the city, has a sophisticated process to separate and recover components.

Material	Component	Recovery Potential
Glass	Front sheet	Recycled into new glass products
Aluminium	Frame	Smelted and reused
Silicon	Solar cells	Refined for use in other industries
Copper & Silver	Wiring & busbars	Highly valuable for scrap and reuse
Plastic	Backsheet & junction box	Can be repurposed or used for energy

By choosing recycling, you are contributing to a circular economy, ensuring these valuable resources aren’t lost forever in a landfill.

Case Study: Upgrading an Old System in Chermside The O’Brien family had an early 1.5kW solar system from 2010. Their quarterly bills were still over $450. They had the old system removed and recycled for a total cost of about $1,500. They then installed a new 6.6kW system with Jinko panels and a 5kWh Sungrow battery for $10,500. Their power bills have now dropped to just the daily grid connection fee, saving them over $1,800 a year. The combined cost of the removal and new system will be paid back in under 7 years, after which they’ll enjoy decades of free, clean energy.

Queensland solar panel disposal regulations

The regulatory landscape in Queensland is rapidly evolving to manage the growing number of end-of-life solar panels. The state government has a clear agenda to promote recycling over landfill.

The most significant developments are:

• Draft Plan to Ban from Landfill: Queensland has a draft e-Products strategy that proposes to ban solar panels from landfill entirely within the next decade.

• Solar Stewardship Pilot Program: The government is funding a pilot program, in partnership with the Smart Energy Council, to establish a statewide network of collection and recycling points. This initiative is designed to test the logistics of a large-scale recycling scheme and will inform a future national program. Collection sites have already been established in the Brisbane area, including Capalaba and North Lakes.

These initiatives show a clear commitment to ensuring that solar energy remains a truly clean solution throughout its entire lifecycle. As a homeowner, this means your only responsible and compliant option is to ensure your old panels are properly recycled.

Finding a licensed solar panel removal company in Brisbane

The most important decision you’ll make in this process is choosing the right professional for the job. You need a company that is not just licensed but also experienced and insured for solar work. An unqualified person attempting this work can cause roof damage, create electrical hazards, or void warranties.

When looking for a company, ask them directly:

• Are your electricians SAA accredited?

• Do you have specific insurance that covers solar panel removal?

• Can you provide a detailed quote that separates the cost of labour from the disposal/recycling fees?

• What is your process for transporting and recycling the panels?

Taking the time to find a qualified professional ensures the process is safe, compliant, and stress-free.

If you’re unsure where to start, I can help. I can connect you with a trusted local expert who is fully licensed and accredited for solar panel removal and disposal in Brisbane. Just fill out the form below for a no-obligation quote.