While installation has traditionally dominated the conversation around Australia’s solar sector, Solar Shine Australia said the industry must now focus on lifecycle management, preventative maintenance and the principles of a circular economy.
Andrew Barrington, founder and Managing Director of Solar Shine Australia, which specializes in panel cleaning, inspections, monitoring and preventative asset management for residential, commercial, and large-scale solar systems across New South Wales, said protecting the value, performance and lifespan of the solar systems already powering homes, businesses and communities is where the industry’s greatest opportunity lies.
“Australia has done an incredible job building one of the world’s largest rooftop solar fleets. The next challenge isn’t simply installing more solar, it’s looking after the systems we’ve already invested billions of dollars into,” he said.
“Every year we can safely extend the life of a solar system means more clean energy generated, a better financial return for its owner and less material entering the waste stream. That’s what solar stewardship means.”
Australia now has about 4.3 million PV system installed across the country and annual solar panel waste is expected to increase significantly over the next decade as the country’s solar fleet continues to grow and age. Government forecasts suggest up to 50 million solar panels may reach the end-of-life stage by 2035 but Solar Shine said many solar panels are being discarded prematurely.
The Sydney-based company said solar assets require more than passive ownership with regular inspections, cleaning and maintenance helping to maximize solar exposure, support energy production, protect long-term asset value, extend operational lifespan and delay replacement of solar assets.
“Maintaining solar systems isn’t an optional extra after installation, it’s an essential part of protecting one of Australia’s fastest-growing renewable energy assets,” Barrington said, adding that preventative maintenance can reduce unnecessary waste and support Australia’s transition to a more circular solar economy.
“Extending the life of existing solar systems is one of the most practical ways we can improve the sustainability of our renewable energy future,” he said. “If we truly believe in a circular economy, then we have to think beyond manufacturing and installation. We need to become better custodians of the infrastructure we’ve already built.”
Barrington was speaking after Solar Shine was honoured at the 2026 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards, held in Sydney at the end of last month.
Solar Shine was named the Australian Trades Small Business Champion – Solar, a national award recognising excellence in the solar industry. Barrington hopes the recognition will encourage homeowners, businesses, governments and the wider renewable energy sector to view solar maintenance not as an occasional service, but as an essential component of responsible solar ownership.
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