SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING CHALLENGES:
PREDICTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
Presented by TV KARTHIK
MTech Chemical Engineering
2441017013
Problem Description : Develop a predictive framework to
assess the future challenges of solar panel waste management in
India and propose viable, cost-effective, and environmentally
sustainable solutions for solar panel recycling. This should
consider the Indian context, including socioeconomic conditions,
technological imitations, and pol icy frameworks.
Prediction of Recycling Challenges in India
India's ambitious solar capacity plan of 280 GW by 2030 will generate roughly 2.5-3 million
metric tonnes of panel waste by 2040.
Solar panels installed in the last decade will soon reach the end of their useful life, worsening
the situation. The lack of standardised data on retired panels impedes accurate forecasting
and planning.
Recycling Infrastructure: India's solar panel recycling ecosystem is still in its early stages,
with a small number of firms. Challenges include expensive initial investment prices, a
scarcity of competent labour, and inefficient technology uptake. Most existing facilities
concentrate on glass and aluminium, ignoring silicon, silver, and rare earth elements.
Transportation and Logistics: Remote installations, particularly those in rural areas, make
collection costly and time-consuming. Poor road infrastructure and high transportation
costs exacerbate trash consolidation. Informal recycling networks dominate, leading to
inefficiencies and environmental risks.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Carbon Footprint Soil and Water
Reduction: Preservation: E-waste Mitigation:
Recycling solar panels Proper recycling Recycling solar panels
minimises the need to reduces the risk of contributes to India's
mine raw minerals, heavy metal overall e-waste
which lowers emissions. contamination in management goals. It
Decentralised recycling groundwater. It also prevents landfill
centres could prevents soil damage overflow and the
dramatically reduce caused by abandoned or resulting environmental
transportation improperly discarded hazards.
emissions. panels.
Policy and Economic
Recommendations
Circular Models
Incentives for Government
Manufacturers and Industry
Collaboration
Cost-Benefit Regulations and
Analysis Standards
As a chemical engineer, the focus would be on leveraging engineering principles
and advanced materials science to address solar panel waste management in India.
Here are tailored solutions within the domain:
2. Waste Reduction through Reuse
1. Advanced Material Recovery
Techniques: Repurposing Broken Panels:
Chemical Leaching Glass Reuse Programs:
Electrochemical Recovery Scalable Recycling Solutions
Solvent Extraction Sustainable By-product Management
3. New Panel Design for Easier Recycling
4. Development of Green Recycling
Collaborate with manufacturers to create Technologies
panels with: • Hydrometallurgical Processes
Modular Designs:
• Biochemical Recycling
Recyclable Polymers:
• Plasma Arc Technology
Embedded Markers:
THANK YOU