Solar Panel Waste Management

SOLAR PANEL WASTE MANAGEMENT – A BIG CHALLENGE

Abstract: Over the past two decades, the global energy landscape has undergone a significant transformation, marked by a strong pivot toward renewable energy sources. India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has emerged as a front-runner in the global clean energy transition. As of April 2025, India has achieved over 107 GW of installed solar PV capacity, progressing rapidly toward its target of 280 GW solar capacity by 2030. While renewable technologies are often celebrated for their low operational carbon footprints, their life cycle impacts — especially during the decommissioning phase — are frequently overlooked. The growing deployment of renewable energy systems, especially solar PV, brings forth an ironic paradox: technologies developed to reduce environmental harm are themselves becoming emerging sources of electronic and hazardous waste. This paper gives in-depth analysis of waste management of solar PV panels.

Key Words: Energy Transition, Renewable Energy, Solar PV, e-Waste Management   

Fig.01 Overview of Solar PV Components and Working Principle

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Over the past two decades, the global energy landscape has undergone a significant transformation, marked by a strong pivot toward renewable energy sources. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global renewable energy capacity reached over 3,700 GW by the end of 2024, with solar photovoltaic (PV) contributing the most at approximately 1,450 GW (Refer figure 1). This surge is driven by mounting concerns over climate change, depleting fossil fuel reserves, and global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has emerged as a front-runner in the global clean energy transition. This growth is supported by favorable policies such as the National Solar Mission, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and international partnerships under the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Fig.2 Damaged Solar Panels

1.1 Lifespan and Lifecycle of Major Renewable Systems

While renewable technologies are often celebrated for their low operational carbon footprints, their life cycle impacts — especially during the decommissioning phase — are frequently overlooked. Most renewable systems, particularly solar panels, have a technical lifespan of 25 to 30 years. After this period, their efficiency drops below commercially viable levels (typically below 80%), necessitating their replacement or repurposing.(Refer figure 2 & 3) Other renewable systems like wind turbines (20–25 years), lithium-ion batteries (8–10 years), and biomass boilers (15–20 years) also follow similar end-of-life trajectories. However, solar panels pose a unique challenge due to their scale of deployment and the complexity of their materials.

Fig.3 Solar Panel Waste

1.2 The Ironic Dilemma: Renewable Energy and Non-Renewable Waste

The growing deployment of renewable energy systems, especially solar PV, brings forth an ironic paradox: technologies developed to reduce environmental harm are themselves becoming emerging sources of electronic and hazardous waste. IRENA estimates that the world could face over 78 million tonnes of cumulative solar panel waste by 2050 — a substantial portion of which may come from developing nations like India, which currently lack robust solar waste management frameworks.

This situation creates a perverse environmental outcome where end-of-life renewable systems, if not responsibly handled, can contribute to:

• Land pollution through dumping of non-biodegradable materials.
• Soil and water contamination due to leaching of heavy metals.
• Air pollution from burning of composite materials and polymers.
• Loss of valuable resources through landfilling instead of recovery.

2.0 NEED FOR SOLAR PANEL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solar panels contain numerous valuable and toxic materials that must be either recovered or safely disposed of (Refer figure 4):

Component	Material	Value/Impact
Frame	Aluminium	Highly recyclable
Glass	Tempered Glass	Can be repurposed or recycled
Encapsulant	EVA/Polymers (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)	Hard to recycle; causes pollution if incinerated
Cells	Silicon	Recoverable but energy-intensive
Contacts	Silver	High economic value, increasingly scarce
Backsheet	Plastic/Polymer	Difficult to process, flammable
Thin-film(Cd/Te )	Cadmium, Tellurium	Toxic and rare, but recoverable with proper tech

From both economic and environmental standpoints, efficient recycling and recovery of these materials offer multiple benefits:

• Reduced mining demand for rare and finite metals like silver, indium, tellurium.
• Prevention of environmental contamination from hazardous materials.
• Job creation and economic opportunities through the development of a solar recycling industry.
• Energy savings, as recycling aluminium or silicon consumes significantly less energy than producing virgin material.

                Fig.4 Solar Panel Composition

Despite these clear advantages, India currently lacks dedicated policies, infrastructure, and awareness to deal with solar panel waste. Most decommissioned panels either end up in landfills or are handled by the informal sector under unsafe conditions, leading to environmental degradation and health risks.

Hence, managing solar panel waste effectively is not just an environmental imperative but also an opportunity for circular economy integration, resource conservation, and green entrepreneurship — particularly relevant for a country like India that aspires to be a global leader in renewable energy.

3.0 The Solar Panel Recycling Process

Recycling solar panels involves several steps to ensure that as many materials as possible are recovered and reused (Refer figure 5).

1. Collection and Transportation

The first step in the recycling process is the collection of end-of-life panels. These panels are then transported to specialized recycling facilities. Efficient logistics and transportation systems are essential to minimize the carbon footprint associated with the recycling process.

Fig.5 Solar PV Panel Waste Recycling Process

2. Dismantling and Sorting

At the recycling facility, panels are dismantled to separate different components. This typically involves:

• Removing the Aluminum frame: The frame is detached and sent for metal recycling. Aluminum is a valuable material that can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties, making it a critical component of recycling.
• Separation of the Glass: The glass, which makes up a significant portion of the panel, is separated and cleaned for reuse. Recycled glass can be used in various applications, including new solar panels, construction materials, and consumer products.

3. Thermal Processing

Thermal processing involves heating the solar cells to high temperatures to remove the encapsulate material (usually a type of plastic) that binds the cells together. This step allows for the extraction of pure silicon and other metals. The use of thermal processing ensures that materials are separated efficiently, with minimal contamination.

4. Chemical Processing

Chemical treatments are used to recover valuable materials like silver and copper from the remaining components. This involves using acids and other chemicals to dissolve the metals, which are then precipitated and purified. Chemical processing techniques are continually being improved to increase recovery rates and reduce environmental impact.

5. Refining and Reuse

The final step is refining the recovered materials to produce raw materials that can be used to manufacture new products, including new solar panels. For instance, the silicon recovered from old panels can be purified and used to produce new photovoltaic cells. This step closes the loop in the recycling process, ensuring that materials are returned to the production cycle.

4.0 ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS OF UNSATISFACTORY WASTE MANAGEMENT

In this section we will discuss the causes of unsatisfactory waste management.

4.1 Lack of Infrastructure, Policy, and Awareness

Despite India’s rapid expansion in solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the country remains critically underprepared to manage the inevitable surge in solar panel waste that will arise over the coming decades. Unlike the structured frameworks for managing traditional electronic waste (e-waste), the solar sector currently operates in a regulatory vacuum when it comes to the end-of-life (EoL) phase of PV modules.

There is no dedicated national policy that addresses the unique characteristics and hazards of solar panel waste. While the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 offer a general framework for electronic waste, they do not explicitly cover PV modules, leaving a grey area in terms of responsibility, compliance, and enforcement.(RCE)

Moreover, there is no Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandate for solar manufacturers in India, unlike the policies adopted in the European Union under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, where producers are required to take back and recycle end-of-life panels.

This lack of regulatory clarity is compounded by the absence of recycling infrastructure. As of 2025, India has no large-scale operational PV recycling facilities, and most collection centres are ill-equipped to handle the specialized processes needed for material recovery from PV modules, such as glass delamination, semiconductor extraction, and chemical treatment.

Furthermore, awareness among consumers, installers, and even solar developers is extremely low. Most stakeholders lack knowledge of safe disposal practices, recycling options (if any), and the environmental consequences of poor waste management. This knowledge gap further weakens the possibility of creating a closed-loop system or a circular economy around solar technologies.

4.2 Current End-of-Life (EoL) Handling Practices

In the absence of regulation and infrastructure, solar panel disposal in India is largely informal and unscientific. The most common EoL pathways currently include:

• Landfilling: Decommissioned panels are often dumped in general landfills, where their glass and polymer content degrade extremely slowly, and toxic elements like lead, cadmium, and antimony may leach into the soil and groundwater.
• Incineration: In some instances, panels are incinerated along with other municipal or industrial waste. This process not only destroys valuable recoverable materials like silver and aluminium but also emits toxic gases from burned plastics and encapsulants, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
• Informal Sector Handling: Informal recyclers, who also dominate India’s general e-waste processing, often use primitive methods such as open burning, acid leaching, or mechanical breakage without proper safety gear. This results in severe environmental contamination and health hazards for workers.

These practices highlight a disconnect[Ma1]  between the growth of the solar sector and its sustainable governance, exposing a serious blind spot in India’s clean energy mission.

5.0 PROJECTED SOLAR WASTE VOLUME

The magnitude of the problem becomes more apparent when viewed through future waste projections.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and International Energy Agency – Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS):

• Globally, solar PV waste is projected to reach 78 million tonnes by 2050. (Refer figure 5)
• India alone is expected to generate over 200,000 tonnes (200 kilo tonnes) of cumulative solar waste by 2030.
• This number is projected to surge to 1.8 million tonnes by 2050, assuming the current trajectory of solar expansion under India’s National Solar Mission and energy transition goals.

Fig.5 Solar Panel Waste Management Challenge

Additionally, NITI Aayog in its policy discussions and white papers has flagged the lack of preparedness in dealing with this volume of waste, noting that most existing waste management systems will be overwhelmed if appropriate mechanisms are not instituted promptly.

These statistics serve as a wake-up call, emphasizing that without intervention, the volume of solar waste may outpace the systems designed to handle it.

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Let us understand the environmental and economic implication of improper waste management of solar PV panels.

6.1 Environmental Consequences:

• Soil and Water Contamination: Toxic materials such as lead, cadmium, and tin used in panel soldering or thin-film technologies can leach from broken panels into the soil and eventually into groundwater.
• Air Pollution: Burning of polymers releases dioxins and furans, which are highly carcinogenic.
• Microplastic Waste: The breakdown of plastic backsheets can contribute to long-term microplastic pollution.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Improper dumping of large panels in landfills can lead to habitat disruption and localized ecosystem damage.

6.2 Economic Impacts:

• Loss of Recoverable Resources: IRENA estimates that by 2050, the value of recoverable materials from global PV waste could exceed USD 15 billion, including aluminium, silver, copper, and glass. India stands to lose its share of this economic opportunity without a recycling framework.
• Import Burden: Recycling materials such as silicon, silver, and indium could reduce dependence on costly imports for the solar manufacturing sector.
• Job Loss or Risk: While a formal solar recycling industry could generate thousands of green jobs, its absence keeps workers trapped in hazardous informal work with no legal protections or healthcare access.
• Legal and Compliance Risks: As international trade increasingly emphasizes green supply chains and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) , India’s solar exports and project financing may face compliance penalties if waste handling remains unregulated.

7.0 GLOBAL BEST PRACTICES & TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

As the world faces the growing challenge of managing solar panel waste, several countries and organizations have emerged as pioneers in establishing effective recycling infrastructures and technological innovations. This section analyzes global practices, regulatory frameworks, and cutting-edge recycling technologies that can guide India’s approach.

7.1 Leading Countries in Solar Panel Recycling

1. European Union (EU)

• Directive: The EU mandates solar panel recycling under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.
• Compliance: Producers are legally required to finance the collection, treatment, and recycling of photovoltaic (PV) modules.
• Infrastructure: Countries like Germany and France have established dedicated recycling facilities such as Veolia’s plant in Rousset, France, which can recycle 95% of panel materials.

Best Practice: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) effectively integrates manufacturers into the waste management lifecycle.

2. Japan

• Regulations: Japan includes PV modules under the Home Appliance Recycling Law.
• Technology Focus: Emphasizes thermal and chemical delamination to separate EVA encapsulant.
• Research & Innovation: Ongoing R&D in laser ablation and electrochemical recovery for silver and rare metals.

Best Practice: Collaboration between academia, government, and industry accelerates innovation.

3. United States

• Voluntary Recycling Programs: No federal mandates; however, states like California lead with pilot EPR schemes.

• Notable Companies: First Solar operates one of the most advanced in-house recycling systems for thin-film panels (CdTe), recovering up to 90% of semiconductor materials.
• Innovation: Active research on mechanical, thermal, and chemical recycling hybrids.

Best Practice: Industry-driven initiatives fill regulatory gaps and foster innovation.

7.2 Emerging Technologies in Solar Panel Recycling

Technology	Description	Efficiency	Key Outputs
Thermal Treatment	Heating panels to burn off polymers (EVA)	~80–90%	Glass, silicon, aluminium
Chemical Leaching	Uses solvents to dissolve and extract metals	~90% for metals	Silver, lead, tin
Mechanical Dismantling	Manual/automated separation	~75–85%	Glass, frames
Laser Ablation	High-precision removal of encapsulants/metals	>95% (lab scale)	Silver, silicon
Electrochemical Recovery	Electrically induced extraction of rare metals	~80–90%	Indium, gallium

Insight: A hybrid approach combining mechanical and chemical treatments is considered the most scalable and cost-effective solution.

8.0 CONCLUSION

India’s solar dream risks turning into an environmental liability if the issue of end-of-life solar panel management is not addressed through robust policy, infrastructure development, public awareness, and industry accountability. The current state of affairs — characterized by informal handling, environmental degradation, and missed economic opportunities — demands immediate strategic intervention to ensure that the country’s transition to green energy does not generate a new class of “green waste” crisis.

References

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Future of Solar PV – Global Supply Chains. 2020.

• IRENA & IEA-PVPS. End-of-Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels. 2016.
• NITI Aayog. India Energy Security Scenarios 2047. Government of India.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Annual Reports & Solar Mission Targets. 2023.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016.
• Tao, M., & Yu, S. (2022). Material Recovery and Recycling Trends for Photovoltaic Panels. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.
• First Solar Inc. PV Module Recycling Technology Overview. 2022.
• REC Group. Sustainable End-of-Life Management in Solar PV. 2021.
• SunPower Corporation. Circularity and Lifecycle Management of Solar Panels. 2020.
• TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute). Managing India’s Solar PV Waste: Policy and Strategy Brief. 2022.

AUTHORS DETAILS:

DIVYANSHU ARORA is B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineer from Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, Delhi. He has a specialization in Renewable Energy from Coursera.com and he truly believes in the power of continuous learning. He even has earned specializations in Data Analytics, Fintech, IT Support and Machine Learning from Coursera. Embracing the digital landscape, he has also completed the Google Digital Garage’s Digital Marketing Certificate, equipping himself with the tools to thrive in the online realm.

Dr. RAJESH KUMAR ARORA obtained the B. Tech. & Master of Engineering (ME) degrees in Electrical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, University of Delhi, India in 1999 and 2003 respectively. He completed his PhD in grounding system design from UPES, Dehradun. He is also certified Energy Manager and Auditor and has worked in 400kV and 220kV Substation for more than 14 years in Delhi Transco Limited (DTL). He has also worked as Deputy Director (Transmission and Distribution) in Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) for 03 years and 06 months. He has also given his contribution in the OS department of DTL for more than 2 years and rendered his services in the SLDC of Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) also. Presently he is working in D&E (Design and Engineering) department of DTL. His research interests include high voltage technology, grounding system, protection system, computer application and power distribution automation.