India’s solar industry has been growing tremendously, resulting in an increase in waste related to solar power generation. In the financial year 2022-2023, the country produced around 100,000 metric tonnes of this waste. Studies predict India to produce 600 kilotonnes of waste by 2030.
Solar Waste Defined
Solar waste comprises materials discarded during solar panels’ lifecycle, which includes three main categories:
- Waste from transportation and handling, such as damaged panels.
- Panels impaired during operation within their lifecycle.
- Panels that are out of service and can’t be used further.
Most of this waste emerges from panels that reach the end of their usability.
Significant Findings
With India’s solar capacity at approximately 66.7 gigawatts and projected to expand to 292 gigawatts by 2030, managing this waste is critical. Research indicates substantial waste generation by 2030:
- Expected generation of solar waste: 340,000 metric tonnes.
- Predominantly from states with high solar capacity: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
These findings suggest a future increase to nearly 19,000 kilotonnes by 2050, 77% of which will stem from newly installed panels.
Materials in Focus
Discarded solar modules contain valuable and critical materials, important for India’s development. India to produce 600 kilotonnes of waste by 2030 and the anticipated waste could hold about:
- Silicon: 10,000 tonnes.
- Silver: 12 to 18 tonnes.
- Cadmium and tellurium: Approximately 16 tonnes each.
Waste Management Suggestions
The report posits crucial recommendations for dealing with solar waste:
- Creating a detailed database: It will help evaluate and manage waste quantities effectively in the future.
- Incentivizing recycling: Encouraging recycling efforts financially can lead to better management of solar waste.
More attention is needed to develop a robust market for solar panel recycling, which can help address this issue in its immediacy and heading into the future.
Recycling Methods
Two primary recycling methods are identified:
- Conventional Recycling: This focuses on recovering bulk materials like glass and metals through processes such as crushing.
- High-Value Recycling: A sophisticated method that also recovers precious materials through a combination of chemical treatments.