As India progresses towards achieving net-zero status by expanding its renewable energy capacity, a recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) reveals that cumulative waste generated from both existing and new solar energy installations (deployed between FY24 and FY30) could amount to approximately 600 kilotonnes by 2030. To put this into perspective, this quantity is equivalent to filling up 720 Olympic-size swimming pools. The primary contributors to this waste are expected to be five states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
By 2030, waste from India’s existing solar capacity alone is projected to increase to 340 kilotonnes, comprising approximately 10 kilotonnes of silicon, 12-18 tonnes of silver, and 16 tonnes of cadmium and tellurium—minerals critical for India's economy. The study indicates that the remaining 260 kilotonnes of waste will originate from new solar capacity deployed during the current decade. This scenario presents an opportunity for India to establish itself as a leading proponent of circular economy practices within the solar industry, thereby ensuring the resilience of solar supply chains.
With plans to achieve approximately 292 GW of solar capacity by 2030, effective management of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste becomes imperative from environmental, economic, and social standpoints. The CEEW study, titled ‘Enabling a circular economy in India’s solar industry: Assessing the solar waste quantum’, marks the first attempt to estimate India-specific solar waste generation across various streams, excluding manufacturing. This data is pivotal for formulating evidence-based waste management policies.
India has already begun implementing measures to address this issue. Last year, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the E-waste Management Rules 2022, which govern the management of waste from solar PV cells and modules in India. These rules mandate producers of solar cells and modules to manage their waste in accordance with the extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework.
This study presents a comprehensive solar waste estimation model that uses India-specific coefficients for the estimation of module waste from different streams. Besides national-level estimates, the model also allows for waste estimation at the state level. This study indicates that India’s solar waste estimates could lie between 100 to 700 kt by 2030, depending on the scenario. By 2050, these estimates could go up to 19,000 kt in the base case scenario. Several Indian states are already witnessing significant quantities of waste (in the range of 99 kt); however, the majority of the waste will likely be generated from the capacities deployed between 2024 and 2030.
“India must proactively address solar waste, not just as an environmental imperative but as a strategic necessity for ensuring energy security and building a circular economy. As we witness the remarkable growth of solar from only 4 GW in March 2015 to 73 GW in December 2023, robust recycling mechanisms become increasingly crucial. They safeguard renewable ecosystems, create green jobs, enhance mineral security, foster innovation, and build resilient, circular supply chains,” said Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW.
While the design life of the solar modules is currently 25 years, some witness an early end of life due to factors such as damage during transportation, module handling, and project operations.
“India's G20 Presidency had identified a circular economy as a thrust area for sustainable development. A circular solar industry and responsible waste management will maximise resource efficiency and make domestic supply chains resilient. The CEEW study provides robust evidence of the opportunity in solar waste management. However, solar recycling technologies and the industry are still at a nascent stage and require policy push and support,” said Neeraj Kuldeep, Senior Programme Lead, CEEW.
Conclusion and recommendations
The solar capacity and waste quantum will grow manifold towards the end of this decade. Hence, it is important to prepare for the responsible handling of solar waste and leverage the multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits that accompany it. This will require a clear policy for waste management, recycling technologies, business models, and markets for recovered materials. The study recommends that the Indian solar industry prepare for these new responsibilities by arranging reverse logistics, storage, dismantling centres, and recycling facilities.
Further, there should be a periodically updated database of the installed solar capacity (containing details such as module technology, manufacturer, and commissioning date) to accurately map plausible waste generation centres and strategic deployment of waste management infrastructure.
Recommendations
Estimating PV waste is the first step towards a circular economy for the solar industry. Efforts from all stakeholders are required to create a comprehensive circular economy ecosystem. The study has four priority recommendations to prepare for this impending waste crisis:
- Comprehensive database maintenance by MNRE: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) should establish and maintain a detailed database of installed solar capacity. This database should include comprehensive information regarding the technology, producers, and deployment modes (grid-connected, distributed, and decentralized). Such accurate mapping of solar capacity would facilitate the identification of waste generation locations and inform infrastructure development for waste handling. Regular updates to this database are essential for informed decision-making.
- Issuance of implementation guidelines by MoEFCC: While the E-waste Management Rules provide initial guidance on the responsibilities of stakeholders, detailed implementation guidelines are needed. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) should issue these guidelines to clarify the obligations of various actors in the solar industry. Clear directives on the collection, storage, and safe recycling of solar waste would incentivize producers to invest in capacity and infrastructure for compliance. Additionally, promoting safe recycling practices is crucial for sustainable waste management.
- Infrastructure development by solar module manufacturers: Producers of solar modules must establish waste management infrastructure in accordance with the E-waste Management Rules. This includes the construction of collection centers and storage facilities for waste generated until 2035. Given the large size of solar modules, substantial storage capacity is required. Manufacturers should also consider building recycling facilities or partnering with third-party vendors specializing in solar PV recycling. Strategic placement of these facilities, informed by waste estimation models, can optimize logistics and reduce overall management costs.
- Accelerated innovation in module recycling technology: Both academia and industry should prioritize research and development efforts to advance solar module recycling technology. Currently, recycling processes primarily recover aluminum and glass, leaving valuable metallic components like silicon, silver, and copper largely untouched. Expedited innovation is needed to develop efficient recycling methods that recover bulk and high-value components from solar waste. Collaboration between solar module manufacturers, project developers, and recycling technology providers is crucial for advancing this agenda through extensive research, development, and pilot demonstrations.
By implementing these recommendations, India can enhance its capacity for solar PV waste management and establish sustainable practices that align with environmental, economic, and social objectives.
The full report is available here
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