MNRE Seeks Innovative Ideas For Boosting Circularity In RE

MNRE Seeks Innovative Ideas For Boosting Circularity In RE

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited proposals under its new “Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies – Batteries and Solar Photovoltaics.” The initiative seeks to promote innovation in recycling and reuse, minimize waste, enhance sustainability and resource efficiency, and foster new technologies in the clean energy sector.

The challenge is part of the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD) Scheme and aligns with India’s broader push to strengthen research and innovation in the circular economy within the renewable energy value chain.

MNRE aims to address three key innovation areas through this challenge:

1. Design and manufacturing innovations

2. Second-life use and recycling innovations

   

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3. Operational management innovations

   

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RE-RTD Scheme Supports Indigenous Innovation

The RE-RTD Scheme, recently launched by MNRE, is designed to scale up research and development efforts in renewable energy. It encourages indigenous technology development, focusing on alternative and widely available minerals, and aims to facilitate the deployment of clean technologies across the value chain in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

The proposals can be submitted online between June 23 and July 15, 2025, at https://research.mnre.gov.in. The duration of each project will be up to two years, with possible extensions on a case-by-case basis. For further information, applicants can contact Dr. Kuldeep Rana (kuldeeprana.mnre@gov.in) or Mr. PNBV Chalapathi Rao (chalapathi.rao@nic.in), both from MNRE.

Challenge Themes and Focus Areas

MNRE’s latest innovation challenge focuses on circular economy solutions in three thematic areas:

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• Theme 1: Design and manufacturing innovations that enable easy dismantling and waste segregation, promote resource efficiency, use of alternative materials, and integration of recycled materials into manufacturing.

• Theme 2: Innovations for reuse, repair, refurbishment, re-manufacturing, and recycling of materials from end-of-life solar panels and batteries.

• Theme 3: Operational management innovations for enhancing the lifecycle of solar and battery systems through predictive maintenance, digitization of supply chains, and digital labeling of products with detailed component and recycling information.

The scheme aims to translate research into practical applications, including applied R&D to improve system performance. Proposals will be evaluated based on their Technology Readiness Level (TRL), which applicants must specify at both the beginning and end of their projects using supporting documentation such as prototypes, field tests, and research studies.

Funding Support for Innovation Proposals

The notification allocated a total ₹10 crore under the scheme across different innovation categories. Additionally, it divided the financial support based on the project stage and it capped at 50% of the total project cost or a fixed ceiling, whichever is lower.

• Proof of Concept: Up to ₹10 lakh or 50% of project cost (maximum grant: ₹50 lakh)

• Potential Project: Up to ₹30 lakh or 50% of project cost (maximum grant: ₹1.5 crore)

• Proven Project: Up to ₹2 crore or 50% of project cost (maximum grant: ₹8 crore)

Final allocations will be decided by a jury and may fall below the maximum limits set for each category.