MIT-WPU Gets ₹25 Lakh Grant To Develop Scalable Solar Waste Recycling Process

Pune-based MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) researchers have developed a scalable recycling process, validated through lab trials and industry inputs, to tackle mounting solar waste. The team has secured a ₹25 lakh research grant from the Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission (RGSTC), a government agency in Maharashtra, to support this initiative.

While sharing these details in a release, MIT-WPU said it plans to use the recycling process to deal with solar waste in India, which is projected to reach nearly 200,000 tons by 2030 and 1.8 million tons by 2050.

It explained that through the process, it aims to not only address India’s growing PV waste challenge but also advance UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting circular industry practices and greener urban development.

The research organization explained that most discarded panels are either stored or partially dismantled for aluminum and cables, while valuable materials such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) are lost due to the difficulty of separating laminated, multi-layered structures. The organization said it offers a solution that not only enables the recovery of valuable materials from end-of-life solar panels but also upcycles non-recoverable fractions into construction materials such as bricks, blocks, and aggregates.

Thus, this dual approach prevents hazardous waste from entering landfills while reducing dependence on virgin raw materials, fostering a circular economy between the renewable energy and construction sectors.

About The Project

Sarita R. Zele, Professor, Research and Development, Nivedita Gogate, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, along with Deepti Marathe and Amrut Joshi, are leading this initiative at MIT-WPU. Contributing to this research are Amar Shitole, Omkar Gajare, Neha Jadhav, Veda Shewalkar, Atharv Jagdale, Pranali Dhiware, Sameer Thamke, Anjali Gabhane, Sumit Dafe, Avanti Gulhane, Dhanashree Langhi, Ruturaj Jadhav, Ameya Bakal, and Chirag Sonawane.

Sarita R. Zele, Professor, Research and Development, MIT-WPU, said, “Solar energy is one of the pillars of India’s clean energy transition, but its by-product – solar panel waste – is a growing concern. Our research provides a sustainable solution that not only recovers valuable resources but also converts waste into useful construction products. This ensures that renewable energy continues to be truly green and environmentally responsible.”

Nivedita Gogate, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, MIT-WPU, said, “Our innovation bridges renewable energy and construction, turning a waste challenge into an opportunity. By creating an industrial symbiosis, we reduce landfill burden, conserve virgin raw materials, and promote a circular economy. We believe this model can be scaled across India to make solar adoption more sustainable.”