India drafts solar waste guidelines as capacity surpasses 100 GW

INDIA – India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has unveiled the new rules targeting the safe storage, transport, and disposal of discarded solar panels, modules, and cells.

The move comes as the country’s installed solar capacity has crossed 110 gigawatts (GW), driven by expansive ground-mounted, rooftop, and floating solar projects.

With the government pushing for mega solar parks of over 500 MW, concerns over end-of-life panel disposal have grown more pressing.

Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, solar PV waste is now classified as “CEEW 14” e-waste.

Although excluded from extended producer responsibility (EPR) recycling targets, producers and manufacturers must register with the CPCB, file annual returns, and follow stringent storage and safety protocols until at least 2034-35.

The draft guidelines urge producers to create comprehensive collection and take-back systems in collaboration with consumers and bulk users.

Improper disposal of solar waste, which contains hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, poses serious environmental and health risks. Uncontrolled dumping or burning can contaminate soil, pollute water bodies, and release toxic fumes.

To mitigate these risks, storage facilities must be covered, well-ventilated, and built with impervious, non-leachable floors.

Panels should be stacked no higher than 2 metres to prevent damage, and storage areas must include fire protection systems, emergency exits, and clearly labelled containers.

Transportation must be done using covered trucks, preferably authorised for hazardous waste. For final disposal, handlers must comply with the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

The CPCB guidelines also recommend that manufacturers maintain consumer databases to facilitate collection and encourage public awareness through websites and helplines.

As India targets the management of an estimated 600,000 tonnes of solar waste by 2040, the guidelines underscore the importance of scientific recycling

Recoverable materials such as glass, aluminum, and silicon can feed back into manufacturing, reducing the need for virgin resource extraction.

With public feedback currently being solicited, the CPCB’s draft marks a significant stride toward a circular economy in India’s solar energy sector—ensuring that clean energy expansion doesn’t come at the cost of environmental harm.

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