Lithium Universe partners with CSIRO and Macquarie University for solar panel recycling research
Type: Partnership · Technology: Solar · Country: Australia · Announced: 2026-09-21
Lithium Universe, a Western Australian resources company, has agreed to a four-year research collaboration with Macquarie University through the CSIRO Industry PhD Program to develop solar panel recycling technology. The joint project aims to refine a microwave-assisted delamination process that selectively heats encapsulant layers within end-of-life solar modules, allowing intact separation and recovery of higher-purity glass, silicon, silver and other metals for reuse. Government data cited in the article indicates Australia currently generates approximately 3 million end-of-life solar panels, or 60,000 tonnes, annually, with annual waste forecast to increase to approximately 91,000 tonnes by 2030. Lithium Universe stated each solar panel contains approximately 20 grams of silver, implying approximately 60 tonnes of contained silver in Australia's current annual end-of-life panel stream alone. The collaboration will examine microwave system design, process parameters, module variability, recovered-material quality, lifecycle impacts and scale-up requirements to advance the technology from laboratory proof-of-concept towards a scalable commercial process.
Analysis
Lithium Universe has entered a four‑year research collaboration with CSIRO and Macquarie University in Australia to develop solar panel recycling technology. CSIRO is participating in the project through the CSIRO Industry PhD Program. Macquarie University will conduct the research under the same four‑year agreement announced on 2026‑09‑21. The collaboration will examine microwave‑assisted delamination of end‑of‑life solar modules, targeting recovery of glass, silicon, silver and other metals from an estimated 60 000 tonnes of panels generated annually in Australia.
Key points
- Lithium Universe, CSIRO and Macquarie University partnership
- Four‑year research collaboration
- Announced on 2026‑09‑21
- Targets ~60 000 tonnes of end‑of‑life solar panels per year in Australia
- Each panel contains ~20 g of silver, equating to ~60 tonnes of silver in the current waste stream
Counterparties
- Lithium Universe (Partner)
- CSIRO (Partner)
- Macquarie University (Partner)
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