New Delhi: The Union government said it had taken several steps to expand solar recycling capacity and promote circular economy practices in India’s fast-growing solar sector.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had already notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which cover environmentally sound handling of electronic waste. These rules also apply to solar photovoltaic panels and other electrical equipment.
In addition, the Central Pollution Control Board made an online Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal operational for e-waste management. The system tracks producers and ensures proper collection and recycling processes.
The government also initiated multiple programmes to strengthen domestic capabilities in recycling and reuse across clean-energy technologies.
According to estimates supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), cumulative waste from installed and upcoming solar capacity in India could reach around 600 kilo-tonnes by 2030.
Solar recycling action plans target future solar waste
To address the challenge, the government formed committees to prepare action plans for shifting from a linear to a circular economy in 11 focus sectors, including solar panels. The MNRE also constituted a dedicated committee on circular economy practices in the solar sector.
Meanwhile, the MNRE launched the Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies – Batteries and Solar Photovoltaic. The initiative supports research on recycling methods, second-life applications, and circular design for solar modules and batteries under the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development programme.
Further, the Department of Science and Technology invited proposals on recovery and recycling of end-of-life solar PV panels. The programme encourages academia–industry collaboration to develop viable recycling technologies and equipment.
The Ministry of Mines also introduced a recycling incentive scheme with an outlay of ₹1,500 crore under the National Critical Mineral Mission. The scheme aims to recover critical minerals from e-waste, lithium-ion battery waste, and components of end-of-life vehicles.
Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik shared this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
