ACEN Australia partners with University of New England on silicon wafer recycling research

Type: Partnership · Technology: Solar · Country: Australia · Announced: 2026-05-07

ACEN Australia, the Philippines-headquartered renewables developer, partnered with the University of New England's Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence to advance silicon wafer recycling using AI-driven quantum chemical simulations and robotic laboratory testing. The collaboration leverages a $2.7 million (USD 1.9 million) Australian Research Council-funded automated robotic lab to physically produce and test solvents identified by AI simulations, aiming to achieve clean silicon separation from solar panels. ACEN Australia is providing panels from its 720 MW New England Solar Project near Uralla in NSW's Northern Tablelands, which includes the recently-opened Stubbo Solar Farm—Australia's first large-scale project to achieve Circular PV Alliance certification. The research focuses on addressing the expected 1 million tonnes of end-of-life solar panel waste in Australia by 2035, with a projected material value exceeding $1 billion. The partnership aligns with ACEN's commitment to regional support and sustainable recycling processes, with the UNE research expected to improve recycling effectiveness and efficiencies.

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