It directed the Centre to respond to grievances regarding the improper disposal and recycling of photovoltaic or solar panels. The directives were issued while hearing a letter petition filed by a farmer in Uttar Pradesh related to the non-availability of facilities for the disposal of used solar panels.
The following issues were brought up in the said petition:
The petition, presented before the tribunal by a farmer who has been using solar panels under the Kusum Yojana since 2019, raised issues with the handling of broken solar panels. The said panels are very important to generate energy for irrigation of agriculture. It is reportedly that no repair or recycling facility exists for these panels. As a result, they end up as scrap and get buried or put into landfills, with serious environmental implications.
Environmental and Recycling Issues
The petition lists several issues concerning the lifecycle management of solar panels:
Scrap Value Limited: Most of the aluminum, copper, and glass components in PV panels are accepted by scrap dealers. The polymers and silicon used are non-recyclable, and most of them end up in landfills.
Presence of Heavy Metals: Solar panels contain hazardous materials like lead and cadmium, which are likely to leach out into the soil and water, posing long-term risks to the environment.
There is no established mechanism in the region for safe disposal or recycling of damaged solar panels, which has compounded the problem.
Observations by the Tribunal
The NGT accepted that grave environmental concerns do exist in the matter instituted by the petition. The tribunal noted that disposal practices are violative of environmental norms. It directed compliance with the E-Waste (Management) Rules and also sought immediate review of the disposal practices related to solar panels.
Respondents Impleaded
The tribunal impleaded relevant government bodies as respondents amongst others.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB)
The tribunal further ordered the Lucknow regional office of the MoEFCC to be a respondent to this matter.
Further Steps
The NGT issued notices to the respondents, and further hearing is set for February 10, 2024. It is aimed at filling gaps in the management of waste from solar panels, keeping in view the environmental rules.
Conclusion
The lack of infrastructure for recycling and disposing of used solar panels is a critical issue. Solar energy plays a vital role in India’s renewable energy goals, and it is important to establish robust mechanisms for the sustainable disposal of solar panels to avoid long-term environmental damage.
Source: [National Green Tribunal Proceedings]