India’s First Solar Waste Management Guidelines
- TPP
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
As India rapidly scales up its renewable energy capacity, a new environmental challenge is emerging: managing the growing volume of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste. Recognising this, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released the draft guidelines on June 4, 2025, for the safe storage, handling, and transportation of discarded solar PV modules, panels, and cells. This marks a significant step in building a framework for sustainable solar energy in India.
Rising Solar Installations, Rising Waste Concerns
India’s solar installed capacity has crossed 110 gigawatts (GW), including ground-mounted, rooftop, and floating installations. With the government aggressively promoting mega solar parks — some exceeding 500 MW in capacity — the volume of end-of-life (EoL) solar panels is set to rise sharply in the coming years. This has intensified the need for a structured approach to solar waste management, which until now lacked specific national direction.
Solar Waste Management Under E-Waste Rules: Understanding the Framework
The new guidelines fall under Chapter V of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, and classify solar PV waste as ‘CEEW 14’ under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) Code. This categorisation brings solar waste into the ambit of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework — a policy approach where producers are made responsible for the entire lifecycle of the product, especially its disposal.
However, unlike other types of electronic waste, solar PV waste is exempt from EPR recycling targets. Yet, producers, manufacturers, and recyclers have specific obligations, including mandatory registration, annual return filings, storage permissions valid until 2034–35, and adherence to CPCB Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Preventing Improper Disposal: Environmental and Health Risks
Improper disposal of solar panels can pose serious environmental and health hazards. Solar modules contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, selenium, copper, silver, gallium, and tellurium, which can leach into soil and groundwater or release toxic fumes if burned. The guidelines caution against unauthorised dumping or sale to unregistered entities, which increases the risk of pollution and exposure, particularly for informal sector workers handling waste without protective gear.
Producer Responsibilities: Creating Collection and Take-back Systems
To mitigate these risks, the draft mandates that producers and manufacturers must establish consumer-facing collection mechanisms. This includes:
Take-back programmes in collaboration with consumers and bulk users,
Public information portals with website links, helpline numbers, pickup services, and
Details about authorised recycling facilities.
Producers are encouraged to maintain consumer databases to track panels nearing end-of-life and facilitate smoother collection operations.
Safe Storage and Transportation: Preserving Materials and Protecting Workers
To ensure safe storage, the guidelines require that facilities must be covered, dry, and well-ventilated to prevent moisture accumulation and environmental exposure. Floors must be impervious and non-leachable, preventing heavy metal contamination from panel breakage or leaks.
Specific storage protocols include:
Stacking panels in a maximum of 20 layers or up to 2 metres high, whichever is less, to avoid crushing damage,
Use of clearly labelled containers and storage racks to aid in future recycling,
Implementation of fire safety systems, including emergency exits, firefighting equipment, and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs).
The guidelines also specify a minimum space requirement of 19.5 cubic metres per tonne of solar waste, allowing for safe handling and movement within storage areas. Regular inventory audits and inspections are mandated to track material conditions and ensure safety compliance.
Transportation Regulations: Moving Hazardous Waste Responsibly
Transportation of solar waste must be conducted using covered vehicles, preferably those authorised to handle hazardous materials. If waste is sent for final disposal, handlers must comply with the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, ensuring it does not harm ecosystems during transit or end-of-life processing.
Recycling Opportunities: Building a Circular Solar Economy
End-of-life solar panels consist of both recyclable and non-recyclable components — including glass, aluminium frames, silicon wafers, various metals, and plastics. Scientific recycling techniques can recover a substantial portion of these valuable materials. This not only reduces dependence on virgin resource extraction but also lowers energy consumption, contributing to climate and resource conservation.
The CPCB notes that proper recycling offers a dual benefit: it prevents environmental degradation and enables material recovery, supporting the circular economy model — where waste becomes a resource, closing the loop on product lifecycles.
Sustainability and Regulation: Aligning with India’s Energy Goals
As India accelerates its clean energy transition, responsible waste management is key to maintaining the sustainability credentials of solar power. The draft guidelines reflect a balanced regulatory approach, allowing the solar industry to grow while safeguarding public health and the environment. They lay the foundation for a national framework that integrates environmental responsibility into the renewable energy sector.
In a participatory move, the CPCB has opened the draft guidelines for public comments and suggestions, encouraging feedback from stakeholders across the board — from manufacturers and recyclers to environmental experts and citizen groups.
These draft solar waste management guidelines mark a proactive and critical milestone in India’s renewable energy journey. They not only address the environmental footprint of solar energy but also foster systemic change by integrating waste management into energy planning. Their successful implementation will be essential in ensuring that the benefits of clean energy are not undermined by the consequences of poor waste handling.
By establishing clear roles, rules, and responsibilities, India is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable solar governance, turning the challenge of solar waste into an opportunity for innovation, circularity, and environmental stewardship.
Key Terms Defined
|
Stay updated with the latest news by joining our Telegram channel – The PRESS Pad , and follow us on Instagram and X.
Comments