On Tuesday 21 April 2026, Australia’s Chief Scientist Prof Tony Haymet delivered a pre-recorded address for the launch of the Australian Research Council Hub for PV Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability.
Video transcript
Hello everyone. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to address you by video today, and I regret not being able to do so in person.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which this event is taking place: the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.
I pay my respects to their elders past and present. And I recognise how those elders have passed on their knowledge from generation to generation.
Australia is one of the giants of PV solar. From the breakthrough work of Martin Green and his team at UNSW, to today’s advances – like printable solar cells at the CSIRO and new records in efficiency.
Indeed, the global solar revolution would not be what it is without Australia. As Australia discusses a deep review of its R&D system, we should reflect on the lessons from solar PV: the individual brilliance, the sustained small team effort, the university role, and the subsequent commercial outcomes.
But as you know, what we do with end-of-life panels is an urgent challenge and an opportunity to once again revolutionise the industry. So, today’s launch is highly significant.
Your hub brings together world-class research and industry expertise to tackle this challenge head-on. It builds on our strong legacy in photovoltaics and recycling, and the global leadership of institutions like UNSW.
For Australia to remain globally competitive, collaboration between industry and research institutions is essential.
Initiatives like this ARC Research Hub exemplify how research excellence can combine with industry capability to drive innovation.
In Canberra, I recently spoke about fostering innovation by backing two kinds of scientific research at once...
On one hand – the research that we know is applicable to industry and to national priorities. And on the other – blue-sky research that doesn’t always have an obvious or immediate pay-off, but it often brings a tremendous return to Australia in the long run.
To support the economy – now and into the future – we must continue to invest in our inventors and innovators. Because they are the wellspring of discovery and transformation!
From Gardasil to Cochlear, from polymer banknotes to Google Maps technology, Australia has countless examples of small teams generating big discoveries. And we see that in PV research.
What we need is better systems and settings to identify and scale those discoveries, and to help companies commercialise them.
Now, government programs play a critical role in fostering collaboration between industry and research institutions, and in enabling the effective translation of research into practical industry outcomes.
But government programs can’t do that job alone. What we need is a robust R&D system. A system that allows Australian ideas to become Australian‑made products, services and industries. A system that maximises the national benefit from our research investments by building on our scientific strengths and directing them toward national priorities and emerging industries.
The recent Strategic Examination of Research and Development looked carefully at these issues. And its findings contribute to an ongoing conversation about the stewardship of the research and innovation system – and how it’s funded.
The government is considering the panel’s report and will engage with stakeholders over the coming months to inform its response.
With a robust national R&D system, plus continuing government support and collaboration with industry, we will be in a strong position to achieve zero PV waste and a more sustainable, profitable circular economy.
I’d like to conclude with an important thank you to the representatives from the ARC, UNSW leadership, government, industry partners, researchers, and professional staff.
Your collective efforts contribute to the strength, success, and continued growth of research in Australia.
By collaborating and innovating, we ensure our leadership continues not only in solar technology, but also in other sustainable solutions for the future.
Thank you.