END – OF – LIFE MANAGEMENT OF PV PANELS IN INDIA

Abstract

There has been a rapid growth in Indian photovoltaic (PV) sector in terms of capacity and production but there is no initiative towards disposal or end of life (EOL) of solar PV panels. Considering an average panel lifetime of 25 years, solar PV waste quantity in India is estimated to grow to 2 lakh tonnes by 2030 and around 1.8 million tonnes by 2050. Currently, there is no policy or guidelines for proper disposal in India. Existing global practices and policies of various countries like Germany, UK, China and Japan are compared in order to bridge the regulatory gaps in India regarding PV recycling. This paper enhances the understanding on the harmful effects of improper disposal, reason/challenges to move towards an advanced recycling of PV panels. Further it recommends for circular economy and also discusses various challenges associated with it..