The government is developing a national policy on solar module recycling to address the growing environmental impact of solar waste disposal. According to reports from Mint, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change and the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) are currently consulting industry players on a plan to ensure safe disposal of solar waste. A key consideration is to mandate module recycling by 2029-30, as modules generally have a 25-year lifetime and the initial set of solar projects in India is set to end by about 2030.
India is projected to generate 4.5 million tonnes of solar PV waste by 2050, according to an analysis by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). As reported by Mint, only 20% of solar PV waste is currently recovered, while the rest is disposed of informally. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently released draft guidelines for safe storage, handling and transportation of discarded solar photovoltaic modules, panels and cells under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.
India is the third-largest global solar power producer with an installed capacity of 157 GW and a target of 280 GW by 2030. According to Mint, rooftop solar systems are being set up under the ₹75,000 crore PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with the government targeting the auction of 50 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power annually. The pace of capacity addition has picked up significantly, with the government focusing on complete indigenization of the solar ecosystem.
Recycling solar modules prevents electronic waste and helps recover valuable materials including silver, copper, silicon and glass for reuse in manufacturing. As reported by Mint, recycling modules typically starts with removal of the aluminium frame and junction box, with major end products being silica with silver content, glass including coarse glass and powdered glass, polymer and copper. According to Deloitte India, solar panel recycling can recover over 90% of module materials, including glass, aluminum, copper and precious metals, preventing toxic heavy metals from reaching landfills.
Unlike other electronic waste, solar PV waste is exempt from EPR (extended producer responsibility) recycling targets. According to Mint, manufacturers and recyclers must register and get storage permission until 2034-35, file annual returns and comply with CPCB standard operating procedures. The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) noted that solar waste is moving up the policy agenda worldwide, with Europe being the furthest along in structured end-of-life responsibility frameworks.
