New Delhi: India’s solar waste is becoming an increasingly urgent issue as the country’s renewable energy transition accelerates.
Over just a decade, India has become the world’s third-largest solar power producer, with solar energy now contributing more than 20 percent of installed electricity capacity. From vast solar parks to millions of rooftop installations, panels have spread across urban and rural landscapes as part of India’s climate strategy.
Government data has shown that nearly 2.4 million households have adopted rooftop solar systems under subsidy schemes. While this expansion has reduced dependence on coal, experts have cautioned that solar panels, although clean during operation, pose environmental risks at the end of their lifespan if waste is not properly managed.
Solar panels generally last around 25 years and are largely recyclable, containing materials such as glass, aluminium and silver. However, panels also include trace toxic metals like lead and cadmium, which can contaminate soil and water when handled improperly. India currently lacks a dedicated budget for solar recycling and has only a limited number of small-scale facilities capable of processing retired panels.
There is no official national data on India solar waste, but research estimates around 100,000 tonnes were generated by 2023, with projections rising to 600,000 tonnes by 2030.
A study by Council on Energy, Environment and Water has warned that solar waste could exceed 11 million tonnes by 2047, requiring nearly 300 specialised recycling facilities and an investment of $478 (£362m) over two decades.
Experts have pointed out that most large solar parks were built in the mid-2010s, meaning the main surge in waste is still years away. Similar trends are expected globally, with the US and China also projected to generate substantial volumes of solar waste by 2030.
India brought solar panels under electronic waste rules in 2022, making manufacturers responsible for collection and recycling. However, enforcement has remained uneven, particularly for household installations, which are harder to track and often end up in landfills or informal recycling channels.
Environmental specialists have warned that without rapid action, India solar waste could become a long-term liability. At the same time, efficient recycling could recover valuable materials, reduce mining-related emissions and support a circular economy.
Analysts have stressed that companies benefiting from solar power must also take responsibility for panels once they stop working, ensuring that clean energy today does not create waste problems tomorrow.
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