Quick answer: a consultation is open, not a live collection instruction
On 21 September 2026, the NSW EPA announced consultation on a proposed mandatory product-stewardship scheme for solar panels. The consultation page says feedback is open until 5pm Monday 16 November 2026. This is a proposal under consultation. It does not confirm that a final scheme has commenced, or that a particular Sydney batch has a provider, price, acceptance decision, vehicle, booking, collection route, processing method or final outcome.
What the NSW EPA is consulting on
The draft consultation describes a framework for product-stewardship arrangements, including a process for the EPA to enter an agreement with a product stewardship organisation and requirements for solar-panel brand owners supplying panels into NSW. That describes the proposed framework and its objectives; it is not an operational instruction for an installer, a facilities team or a warehouse holding a current batch.
| Source says | Useful interpretation | It does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| The NSW EPA is seeking feedback on a draft regulation and issues material. | The design is still open to consultation. | A final legal scheme or commencement date. |
| The proposal concerns producer responsibility and product stewardship. | Supply-chain responsibility is the policy subject. | A project-specific collection service, customer entitlement or fee. |
| The consultation closes at 5pm on 16 November 2026. | Interested organisations can read the primary material and respond through the EPA process. | A requirement for a current project to wait, stop work or change its own site controls. |
What remains unconfirmed for a Sydney project
Do not turn a policy consultation into a service promise. The consultation does not identify ReSova as a scheme provider, alter ReSova’s existing scope, make collection free, set a price, decide whether a batch is eligible, allocate a vehicle, confirm a date, prescribe a loading method, confirm reuse or recycling, or name a final processor. The Australian Government’s current replacement and recycling guidance likewise keeps safe removal with licensed or accredited professionals; it does not make a collection operator responsible for disconnection or roof work.
What installers, facilities teams and project coordinators can prepare now
A policy development does not pause a live replacement, warehouse cleanout or phased project. Once appropriately qualified people have completed safe removal, record the actual ready panel count, separately list inverters, rails, racking, cables and other equipment, describe only broad visible condition, and identify the ground-level handover point, access constraints and a reachable site contact. These facts help a scope review; they are not technical testing or a prediction of value or outcome.
A factual planning flow while the consultation remains open
- Read the primary proposalUse the EPA consultation material for policy facts, rather than a headline or a provider claim.
- Keep removal separateElectrical disconnection, removal, roof work, site safety and traffic control stay with responsible site parties and qualified people.
- Describe the ready batchUse actual quantities and separately listed components after safe ground-level staging.
- Choose the honest scope routeAn eligible standard panel-only request may use the estimator; 70+, mixed, staged, multi-site or complex-access work needs tailored commercial review.
- Recheck before actingVerify any facility, policy or service claim against the current primary source and actual request facts.
Sources and dates checked
- NSW EPA — Draft Solar Panels Regulation consultation, checked 26 September 2026: draft-framework description and consultation closing time.
- NSW EPA — NSW leads Australia with new solar panel recycling mandate, published and checked 21 September 2026: announcement context.
- Australian Government — Replace and recycle your solar system, checked 26 September 2026: removal and professional-assistance context.
Key takeaways
- The NSW EPA is consulting on a proposed solar-panel product-stewardship framework; consultation is not a final operational scheme.
- The published consultation closes at 5pm on 16 November 2026 and does not confirm a Sydney provider, price, collection route or outcome for any batch.
- Live projects still need clear post-removal facts: actual equipment, separate components, ground-level handover, access and a site contact.
- ReSova's role remains limited to assessing eligible equipment after qualified people have safely removed it and made it available for ground-level handover.
Frequently asked questions
Has NSW's proposed solar-panel scheme started?
No. The NSW EPA is consulting on a draft regulation; consultation is not proof that a final scheme or project pathway has commenced.
Does the consultation make solar-panel collection free or guaranteed?
No. It does not confirm a price, provider, acceptance decision, booking, vehicle, route or downstream outcome for a particular batch.
Does this change ReSova's role on a live project?
No. ReSova separately assesses eligible equipment only after qualified people have safely removed it and it is ready for ground-level handover.
Commercial Services
ReSova considers eligible, already removed equipment in Sydney and selected NSW areas after the ground-level handover and site access can be confirmed. It does not decide removal, technical condition or a final downstream outcome.