India’s renewable energy boom faces hidden waste problem

The rapid expansion of solar energy in India is widely considered a success. But how clean will a transformation be without a plan to manage the waste it generates?

In just over a decade, India has become the world’s third-largest producer of solar energy, and renewable energy is now at the heart of its climate strategy. Solar panels are everywhere – from giant solar parks to blue roofs in cities, towns and villages.

In addition to large solar parks, there are now millions of rooftop systems feeding power to the grid. Government data shows that nearly 2.4 million households have adopted solar power under subsidy schemes.

The growth of solar energy reduces India’s dependence on coal. Although thermal energy and other non-renewable energy sources still account for more than half of installed capacity, solar energy now contributes more than 20%. However, this achievement also brings challenges: Although solar panels are clean to use, they can pose environmental risks if not managed properly.

Solar panels are mostly recyclable and made of glass, aluminum, silver and polymers, but trace amounts of toxic metals such as lead and cadmium can contaminate soil and water if not disposed of properly.

Solar panels typically have a lifespan of about 25 years, after which they are removed and discarded. India currently has no dedicated budget for solar waste recycling and only a few small facilities to process old panels.

There is no official data on solar waste in India, but one study estimates that India will generate about 100,000 tons of waste by 2023, a figure that will rise to 600,000 tons By 2030. For now, the amount of waste is small, but experts warn that the bulk is yet to come – and without rapid recycling investment, India could face a growing waste crisis.

A new study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) estimates that India could generate more than 11 million tons of solar waste By 2047. Managing this target will require nearly 300 dedicated recycling facilities and an investment of US$478 (£362m) over the next 20 years.

“Most large-scale solar power plants in India were built in the mid-2010s, so the real wave of waste will come in 10 to 15 years,” said Rohit Pahwa of Targray Energy.

India’s solar waste forecast mirrors global pattern: us Following the rapid expansion of solar energy in the 2010s, China’s power generation capacity may reach 170,000 to 1 million tons by 2030, with China approaching 1 million tons.

However, the policy environment is very different.

In the United States, solar panel recycling is largely market-driven under a patchwork of state rules. Like India, China’s system is still developing and lacks a dedicated regulatory framework.

In 2022, India will include solar panels in e-waste regulations, making manufacturers responsible for collection, storage, disassembly and recycling at the end of their useful life.

Experts say implementation has been uneven, especially for household and small panels, which account for 5% to 10% of installations. Despite their small scale, these panels still generate a lot of waste because they are harder to track, collect and recycle.

Damaged or discarded panels often end up in landfills or unauthorized recyclers, where unsafe methods can release toxic materials. The BBC has contacted India’s Ministry of Renewable Energy for comment.

Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka, an environmental expert, said: “Solar energy gives the illusion of clean energy for two decades, but without serious plans to recycle panels it risks leaving a module graveyard without much of a legacy.”

Despite the challenges, experts say the problem is not without opportunities.

“As waste increases, so does the need for companies that know how to deal with it,” Mr Pawar said.

CEEW says efficient recycling could recover 38% of materials for new panels by 2047 and reduce carbon emissions from mining by 37 million tonnes.

Akansha Tyagi, co-author of the study, said India already has markets for glass and aluminum, and the metals found in solar cells – silicon, silver and copper – could be recycled for use in new panels or other industries.

Currently, most solar waste is processed using rudimentary methods that only recover low-value materials such as glass and aluminum, with small amounts of precious metals lost, damaged or extracted.

Experts say the next decade will be crucial for India’s solar energy goals. The country must act quickly – establishing a regulated, self-sustaining recycling system, raising household awareness and integrating waste collection into solar business models.

Naka said companies that profit from solar power should also be held responsible for what happens after the panels stop working.

“Without proper recycling, clean energy today could mean more waste tomorrow,” he warned.

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