Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addresses a question regarding solar panel waste generation and recycling standards. While no specific estimate for solar panel waste by 2030 is available, the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022, in force since April 1, 2023, comprehensively manage e-waste, including solar panels. The rules establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime, mandating registration, inventory maintenance, and environmentally sound waste processing for manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers.
Key Points / Main Content:
E-Waste Management Rules, 2022:
In force since April 1, 2023.
Manages e-waste, including solar photovoltaic modules/panels/cells.
Implements an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling.
Requires registration on a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal for manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers.
Facilitates and channelizes the informal sector into the formal sector.
Ensures e-waste recycling in an environmentally sound manner.
Introduces provisions for environmental compensation and verification audit.
Promotes Circular Economy through EPR and scientific recycling/disposal.
Obligations for Manufacturers and Producers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules/Panels/Cells:
Mandated to obtain registration.
Required to maintain an inventory of solar PV modules.
Must store waste generated from solar PV modules/panels/cells up to 2034-35 as per guidelines.
Required to file annual returns.
Must comply with Standard Operating Procedures.
Process waste other than solar PV modules as per applicable rules/guidelines.
Obligations for Recyclers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules/Panels/Cells:
Mandated for recovery of material as laid down by the CPCB.
Steps Taken for Effective Management of E-Waste Rules:
CPCB developed an online E-Waste EPR portal for registration of producers, manufacturers, recyclers, and refurbishers.
CPCB developed guidelines for scientific and environmentally sound management of e-waste.
CPCB prepared an action plan for implementation of E-Waste Management Rules, 2022, being implemented by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs).
Registered entities submit compliance through Quarterly and Annual Returns on the E-waste Portal.
Rules provide for verification and audit of registered entities by CPCB or a designated agency.
Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines developed for levying EC on entities violating rules/guidelines.
Impact Analysis:
Manufacturers and Producers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules/Panels/Cells:
Impact: Subject to new regulations regarding registration, waste management, and reporting.
Action Required: Obtain registration, maintain inventory, store waste properly, file annual returns, comply with SOPs, and process waste according to guidelines.
Recyclers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules/Panels/Cells:
Impact: Subject to mandated material recovery processes.
Action Required: Recover materials as laid down by the CPCB.
Refurbishers of E-waste:
Impact: Subject to new regulations regarding registration, and waste management.
Action Required: Obtain registration, and process waste according to guidelines.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs):
Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022 at the state/UT level.
Action Required: Implement the action plan, monitor compliance, and submit quarterly progress reports.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
Impact: Oversees the implementation of the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022.
Action Required: Maintain the E-Waste EPR portal, provide guidelines, conduct verification and audits, and enforce environmental compensation.
Key Entities Referenced
E-Waste Management Rules, 2016: The original rules governing e-waste management in India, which were subsequently revised.
E-Waste Management Rules, 2022: The revised rules for managing e-waste in India, notified in November 2022 and in force since April 1, 2023.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A policy approach where producers are given a significant responsibility – financial and/or physical – for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The statutory organisation responsible for implementing environmental legislation and standards in India. It developed the online E-Waste EPR portal and guidelines for e-waste management.
Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive: A European Union directive that sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical and electronic equipment.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules: Panels or cells that convert sunlight into electricity. These are now included in the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs): State-level organizations responsible for implementing the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022 in their respective States/Union Territories.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1330
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Generation of Solar Panel Waste
1330. DR. PRADEEP KUMAR PANIGRAHY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether 34,000 metric tonnes of solar panel waste is expected to generate in the country
by 2030;
(b) if so, the reasons for lack in recycling standards or Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR) rules, unlike the European Union’s strict Waste, Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make recycling Standards
or EPR Rules at par with EU's WEEE Directive?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) No authentic estimate is available so far regarding the generation of solar panel
waste in the country by 2030. Ministry has comprehensively revised the E-Waste
(Management) Rules, 2016 and notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in November,
2022 and the same is in force since 1st April, 2023. These new rules provide for managing e-
waste including solar photo-voltaic (PV) modules or panels or cells in an environmentally
sound manner and putting in place an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
regime for e-waste recycling wherein all the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler
are required to register on portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The new provisions facilitate and channelize the informal sector to formal sector for doing
business and ensuring recycling of e-waste in environmentally sound manner. Provisions for
environmental compensation and verification & audit have also been introduced. These rules
also promote Circular Economy through EPR regime and scientific recycling/disposal of the
e-waste.
As per these rules, every manufacturer and producer of solar photo-voltaic modules or
panels or cells have been mandated to obtain registration, maintain inventory of solar PV
modules, store the waste generated from Solar PV modules/panels/cells up to the year 2034-35
as per the guidelines laid down under the rules, file annual returns, comply with Standard
Operating Procedures, and process the waste other than solar PV modules as per the applicable
rules or guidelines. Further, Recycler of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells has been
mandated for recovery of material as laid down by the CPCB.Following steps has been taken for effective management of E-Waste Rules as under:
(i) An online E-Waste EPR portal has been developed by CPCB wherein entities such as
producers, manufacturers, recyclers and refurbishers of the e-waste are required to be
registered.
(ii) CPCB has developed guidelines for the scientific and environmentally sound
management of e-waste. The guidelines detail the procedures and facilities in terms of
machineries and pollution control devices required for the recycling of e-waste in
environmentally sound manner.
(iii) An action plan for implementation of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 has been
prepared by CPCB and the same is being implemented by all the State Pollution
Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in their respective
States/UTs. SPCBs/PCCs are submitting quarterly progress report.
(iv) The registered entities submit their compliance through Quarterly and Annual Returns
on the E-waste Portal.
(v) The rules have provided verification and audit of the registered entities by the CPCB
or through a designated agency to verify compliance of these rules through random
inspection and periodic audit, as deemed appropriate, so as to take action against
violations of these rules.
(vi) Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines under E-Waste (Management) Rules,
2022 have been developed for levying EC on any entity in case of violation of any of
the provision of these rules and guidelines issued hereunder.
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