According to a new CEEW study, India's accumulated solar waste will reach about 19 million tonnes by 2050, as all the PV capacity deployed before 2030 will have reached the end of its useful life by this time. The agency estimates that specific solar waste in India will come from different sources, but not manufacturing.

The report notes that while these components are designed to last 25 years, some may end their lives prematurely due to factors such as transport, component handling and damage during project operations.

According to the report, as of FY2023, India's installed PV capacity was 66.7 GW, generating about 100,000 tonnes of waste, but this figure will increase to 340,000 tonnes by 2030. The 340,000 tons of waste is expected to include about 10,000 tons of silicon, 12,000 to 18,000 tons of silver, and 16 tons of cadmium and tellurium. Out of 340,000 tons of solar waste,

About 67% of the waste will be generated within the five states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Between FY2024 and FY2030, the cumulative solar waste from existing and newly deployed PV capacity will reach approximately 600,000 tonnes, equivalent to filling 720 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The authors of the study believe that India's installed PV capacity will reach around 292 GW by 2030. India will need about 1,700 GW of solar power capacity by 2050 and 5,600 GW by 2070 to achieve its net zero target by 2070.

According to the authors of the study, the increasing amount of solar waste presents an opportunity for India to become a leading circular economy hub for the solar industry.

India has implemented several measures to tackle the waste problem. Last year, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued the E-Waste Management Rules 2022, which will regulate the management of solar cell and module waste in India. These rules require manufacturers of solar cells and modules to manage their waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.

"India must be proactive in addressing solar waste as not only an environmental imperative but also a strategic imperative to ensure energy security and build a circular economy," he said. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, said: "We have witnessed significant growth in the solar industry, from 4 GW in March 2015 to 73 GW in December 2023, and robust recycling mechanisms will become increasingly important. They can protect renewable ecosystems, create green jobs, enhance mineral security, foster innovation, and build resilient circular supply chains."

CEEW said the Indian solar industry should prepare for the new responsibilities by setting up reverse logistics, storage, disassembly centres and recycling facilities. The industry should also explore innovative financing mechanisms and business models for solar waste management. Editor/Xu Shengpeng