Speakers pitch for new environment framework for handling solar panel waste
Experts and industry stakeholders are calling for a dedicated national policy to manage solar panel waste in India. They argue that current e-waste frameworks are insufficient to handle the projected surge in solar infrastructure waste.
Why it matters
As India scales its solar energy capacity, establishing a circular economy for solar components is critical to preventing long-term environmental damage.
Speakers participating in a workshop on solar waste governance, which was organised by the Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) in the city on Wednesday, wanted an exclusive solar recycling policy to be enacted by the Central government, similar to the e-waste policy in the country to deal with solar panel wastes.
Swati Singh Sambyal, principal expert (Pollution) of GRID-Arendal, said with the country having set a target of 280 giga watt (GW) of solar energy, processing of solar photo voltaic (PV) panels has become an environmental challenge. Citing the failure of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in safely dismantling and creating a circular economy, Ms. Sambyal wanted an environmental law framework to be created. She highlighted the growth of solar installation at present, resulting in high-risk waste generation and the regulatory gaps in the current framework of e-waste policy.
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