Gujarat Aims To Formulate Norms For Solar Waste Recycling

The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has invited bids from research organizations to conduct a comprehensive study on recovering valuable materials from solar and electronic waste, as part of a broader plan to develop formal norms for solar waste recycling in the state. It is noteworthy that Gujarat is home to the largest number of solar module manufacturers, besides hosting several large-scale solar projects on its territory.

The initiative is aimed at creating a robust, environmentally sound recycling framework as India faces a growing wave of end-of-life solar panels from its rapidly expanding solar energy sector.

Exploring Key Recycling Materials 

In a sealed Expression of Interest (EOI) issued from its headquarters in Gandhinagar, GEDA called for technically capable and financially sound firms to prepare a feasibility report and research study on recycling materials, including silicon, copper, silver, aluminium, and rare metals found in different types of solar panels and e-waste.

“The selected agencies will be tasked with developing technologies to extract high-value components from solar waste streams, while aligning with national regulations and sustainable practices,” GEDA said in its tender document.

The research scope spans various photovoltaic technologies, including thin-film panels using cadmium telluride (CdTe) and CIGS, crystalline silicon panels, and TopCon cells, which require specialized processing due to their multi-layered structure.

Sampling of solar wastes

GEDA said the project would involve extensive sampling of waste, particularly from damaged or end-of-life solar modules, to test separation techniques including mechanical shredding, hydrometallurgical leaching, smelting, flotation, and solvent extraction.

A detailed research paper is expected to emerge from the project, outlining the most efficient recovery methods and the economic viability of scaling up such processes across Gujarat and eventually India.

The study will also contribute to the formulation of guidelines covering safe dismantling, regulatory compliance, environmental standards, and worker safety protocols, according to the agency.

Aligned With MoP Framework

Crucially, the entire research effort will be aligned with the Ministry of Power’s solar waste management framework, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and incentives for sustainable recycling technologies, GEDA said.

A regulatory and technical review will assess existing national and state-level laws and recommend any policy changes needed to enable solar waste recycling infrastructure in Gujarat. Final deliverables will include technical specifications, cost estimates, and a roadmap for implementation.

India, which aims to reach 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, faces a looming solar waste problem. Industry estimates suggest tens of thousands of tonnes of panel waste could accumulate by the end of this decade.

As per a 2024 report from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) that India’s installed 66.7 GW capacity, as of FY23, generated about 100 kilotonnes (kt) of waste, which will increase to 340 kt by 2030. It also said that India’s cumulative solar waste will increase 32 times between 2030 and 2050, hinting at the scale of waste created by the renewable energy source.