Groundbreaking Cleantech Startup Emerges From Bendigo’s Innovation Hub

ClearGreen Energy, a Bendigo-based cleantech firm, has unveiled a new solar panel recycling system set to reduce waste from expired photovoltaic modules across Australia starting this September. The innovation promises to reclaim up to 90% of valuable materials from panels that typically end up in landfill.

This development arrives at a critical moment as national solar power installations surge, bringing new challenges in managing discarded panels. Australia installed a record 3 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2025 alone, according to the Clean Energy Council, and projections expect a tenfold increase in panel decommissioning by 2030.

Rooted in Bendigo’s Tech and Sustainability Ecosystem

ClearGreen Energy operates out of the Bendigo Innovation Precinct on Hargreaves Street, bringing together experts with backgrounds in environmental science and engineering. The company collaborates closely with La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus, which has recently launched a renewable energy research program focusing on sustainable material lifecycle management.

The Regional Economic Development Board of Greater Bendigo has thrown its weight behind the project, recognizing it as a major opportunity to position Bendigo as a leader in sustainable technology manufacturing and services. Through the board’s GreenTech Accelerator program, ClearGreen Energy secured $1.2 million in funding earlier this year to expand its pilot facilities.

Data-Driven Impact and Future Outlook

Research conducted at the Bendigo pilot plant indicates the ClearGreen system can extract up to 90% of silicon, glass, and aluminum from decommissioned solar panels. Industry analysts valued the recycled materials at roughly $35 per panel, with the potential to reduce disposal costs by up to 40%. This is significant given that Australia is expected to retire over 1 million panels annually by the end of the decade.

The company plans to scale its operations by establishing a full-scale recycling center in Bendigo by mid-2027, with anticipated job creation for 50 high-skill workers in engineering and environmental management roles. Local authorities are exploring partnerships to integrate the facility with Bendigo’s circular economy initiatives, including waste reduction targets aligned with the City Council’s sustainability roadmap.

For residents and businesses using solar power, ClearGreen Energy’s technology offers reassurance that their investments won’t contribute to future environmental harm. Industry stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the company ahead of the system’s market launch to secure early adoption benefits and contribute feedback to ongoing development.