At 11am on Saturday 13 April 2024, Repurposing for Resilience [RfR] Eurobodalla will open its Community Solar Panel Reuse Centre at the Moruya Transfer Station on Yarragee Road.

Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Mathew Hatcher, Deputy Mayor Alison Worthington and Divisional Waste Manager Nathan Ladmore will speak, following Uncle Bunja Smith’s welcome to country.

A highlight of the opening will be the ‘Talking Trash’ exhibition by local waste artists.

Volunteer-led RfR has been tackling the environmental impact of the renewable energy industry head-on with its innovative approach to waste, and upskilling the community through hands-on training.

RfR Vice President Dr Robert Guth said, “Repurposing for Resilience is providing affordable solar to the community, creating new industry and training opportunities and reducing the economic and environmental cost associated with industrial materials recycling.”

Initially funded by WWF Australia and supported by Eurobodalla Shire Council and industry specialist Micro Energy Systems, the new Centre collects and processes used solar panels and associated industry waste.

Panels are put through a testing regime by qualified electricians, before those with a good remaining working life are sold or gifted. The next owners can then confidently use them in small off-grid PV systems, grid-connected PV systems, power charging stations, irrigation pumps, other small-scale agricultural use and emergency response trailers.

Panels no longer fit for their intended use are repurposed or upcycled into functional alternatives such as furniture, charging stations, building cladding and art.

Though young, Repurposing for Resilience has already achieved real results: re-directing panels from landfill, bringing nationally accredited electrical trade training to the Eurobodalla and running practical workshops to upskill the community. RfR has also collaborated with others to tackle local environmental issues and showcased the highly successful ‘Lanterns from Waste’ project at the 2023 River of Art festival.

Repurposing for Resilience is 100% volunteer-led and now Centrelink-approved to provide voluntary work opportunities for eligible job seekers.