Media Alert: Armidale event tonight to explore what happens to solar panels at end of life
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Electrify Armidale, Sustainable Living Armidale,
4 May 2026
Closing the Loop: Recycling Solar in the New England will be held in Armidale tonight.
The free community event will explore what happens to solar panels at the end of their useful life, including opportunities for recycling, reuse and responsible disposal in regional Australia.
Event details:
Date: Monday 4 May 2026
Time: 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm
Venue: NOVA, 122 Faulkner Street, Armidale
Online: Attendance is also available online
Registration: Closing the Loop: Recycling Solar in the New England
Speakers and contributors will include representatives from the Smart Energy
Council, the University of New England, RE-Alliance, Armidale Regional Council,
and local community energy groups.
Speakers:
-
Trevor Brown (Electrify Armidale and UNE)
-
Darren Johannesen (Executive General Manager – Sustainability, Smart Energy Council)
-
Kas Gregory (Lecturer in Computational, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry, UNE)
-
Megan Kessler (Policy & Research Director, RE-Alliance)
-
Guada Lado (Manager Regional Waste, Armidale Regional Council)
-
Emily Sims (Strategic Planner, Uralla Shire Council)
-
Cameron Turner (Director, UNE Smart Region Incubator)
A number of local government representatives and regional stakeholders are registered to attend, including representatives from Armidale Regional Council, Uralla Shire Council, Northern Inland Regional Waste, the University of New England, and the renewable energy sector.
Registered local government attendees include: Armidale Regional Mayor Sam Coupland, Uralla Shire Mayor Robert Bell, Uralla Shire Deputy Mayor Kath Arnold, Uralla Shire Councillors Adam Blakester, Sarah Burrows and Leanne Doran, Armidale Regional Councillors Susan McMichael, Kay Endres and Paul Gaddes, and senior council staff from Armidale Regional Council and Uralla Shire Council.
Journalists are welcome to attend in person or online. There will be opportunities to ask questions during the panel discussion, and speakers and organisers will be available for follow-up questions after the event.
Contact details:
For further information, please contact:
Trevor Brown
Convenor, Electrify Armidale
M: 0447 284 147