Google-India’s installed solar capacity of 66.7 GW has produced 100 kilotonnes of waste as of FY23, set to increase to 340 kt by 2030.
-A study by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Council on Energy, Environment and Water predicts cumulative waste to reach 600 kt by 2030, with 44% from new capacities.
-Five states—Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—are expected to generate 67% of the waste.
-India needs around 292 GW of solar capacity by 2030, raising concerns about responsible solar PV waste management for environmental, economic, and social reasons.
-Estimates indicate Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka alone will account for significant waste generation, with cumulative waste projected to increase to 4981 kt by 2040.
-The majority of waste is likely to come from capacities deployed between 2024 and 2030, emphasizing the need for effective recycling and waste management strategies.
Originally published on Saur Energy