India's rapid solar energy expansion is widely hailed as a success, positioning the country as the world's third-largest solar producer in just over a decade.
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bbc.combbc.co.ukWith renewables now central to its climate strategy, solar panels have proliferated across vast solar parks and rooftops in cities, towns, and villages.
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bbc.co.ukGovernment data indicates that nearly 2.4 million households have adopted solar energy under a subsidy scheme, significantly reducing reliance on coal, which still supplies over half of the country's installed capacity.
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bbc.comHowever, this achievement comes with a significant challenge: the management of solar waste.
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bbc.co.ukSolar panels, while clean in use, can pose environmental risks if not properly managed.
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bbc.comThey are primarily made of recyclable materials such as glass, aluminum, and polymers, but they also contain trace toxic metals like lead and cadmium, which can pollute soil and water if mishandled.
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bbc.co.ukTypically, solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 years, after which they are removed and discarded.
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bbc.comCurrently, India has no dedicated budget for solar-waste recycling and only a few small facilities to process old panels.
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bbc.co.ukThe volume of solar waste is expected to grow significantly.Although India currently lacks official data on solar waste, estimates suggest around 100,000 tonnes will be generated by 2023, potentially rising to 600,000 tonnes by 2030.
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bbc.comA study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) predicts that India could generate over 11 million tonnes of solar waste by 2047, necessitating nearly 300 dedicated recycling facilities and an investment of $478 million over the next two decades.
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bbc.comtheguardian.comMost of India's large solar parks were established in the mid-2010s, meaning the bulk of waste is yet to come.
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bbc.comThe challenge is compounded by the fact that many solar panels can degrade sooner than their expected lifespan due to factors such as installation damage and exposure to harsh weather conditions.
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theguardian.comThe regulatory landscape for solar waste management in India is still developing.In 2022, solar panels were included under e-waste rules, making manufacturers responsible for the collection, storage, dismantling, and recycling of their products at the end of their life.
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bbc.comHowever, enforcement of these regulations is uneven, particularly for home and small-scale installations, which account for 5-10% of total installations.
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bbc.comThese smaller systems can still generate substantial waste, as they are harder to track and recycle, often ending up in landfills or with unauthorized recyclers who may use unsafe methods.
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bbc.co.ukThe informal sector has emerged to fill the gap in solar waste management.Workers in this sector often dismantle broken panels for valuable metals and materials, but they do so without proper safety equipment, exposing themselves to hazardous conditions.
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theguardian.comThis informal recycling process raises concerns about the environmental impact and the potential release of toxic materials.
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theguardian.comIndia's solar ambitions are ambitious, with plans to install an additional 39 solar parks across 12 states by 2026, targeting an output of 280GW of solar power by 2030.
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theguardian.comHowever, the lack of a comprehensive waste management strategy could undermine these efforts, leading to a waste crisis that could overshadow the benefits of renewable energy expansion.
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bbc.comweforum.orgTo address these challenges, experts emphasize the need for a proactive approach to waste management, including the establishment of a circular economy that prioritizes prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling.
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weforum.orgThis would involve sustainable design practices, regulatory incentives, and investment in recycling infrastructure to ensure that the clean energy transition does not come at the cost of environmental sustainability.
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weforum.orgAs India continues to expand its solar energy capacity, the importance of addressing the hidden waste problem cannot be overstated.Without immediate action, the country risks replacing one environmental crisis with another, jeopardizing the sustainability of its renewable energy future.
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weforum.orgThe choices made today will determine whether India can create a truly sustainable energy system or merely shift the burden of waste to future generations.
