Synopsis
Attero has partnered with the National Institute of Solar Energy to improve solar panel recycling in India, addressing the increasing challenge of solar waste as the sector expands rapidly.Key Takeaways
- Attero signs MoU with NISE for solar panel recycling.
- Collaboration aims to tackle solar panel waste in India.
- A pilot project will utilize end-of-life panels for testing.
- Establishment of a dedicated research facility is proposed.
- Joint reports to guide recycling standards are expected.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) Cleantech firm Attero announced on Wednesday the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), to enhance solar panel recycling efforts in India.
This collaboration signifies a crucial advancement in tackling the issue of solar panel waste within the country, as stated by the company, which is recognized as India's largest and the world's leading recycler of lithium-ion batteries.
Through this agreement, NISE will lend its support, expertise, and comprehensive insight regarding the current solar installation landscape to Attero, aiding its research and development endeavors in solar panel recycling.
A pilot project will also be initiated to assess the solar panel recycling technology pioneered by Attero, alongside the technology developed by NISE, utilizing end-of-life panels supplied by the institute.
Furthermore, both entities will consider establishing a specialized testing and research facility at the NISE campus to facilitate the recycling of lithium-ion batteries and solar panels.
The partnership aims to produce collaboratively authored technical reports and recommendations to inform the development of effective recycling standards and frameworks applicable both in India and globally.
“This partnership with NISE is a timely and strategic initiative. As India expands its renewable energy capacity, the need to mitigate the environmental implications of end-of-life solar panels becomes increasingly pressing. Recycling infrastructure must evolve in tandem with generation capacity to prevent a future waste crisis,” remarked Nitin Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Attero.
“Our objective is to create scalable and environmentally sound recycling solutions that guarantee the recovery and reuse of critical materials. With NISE’s profound understanding of the solar ecosystem and Attero’s established recycling technology, this collaboration can set the stage for a global approach to solar panel recycling,” Gupta added.
According to Dr. Mohammad Rihan, Director General of NISE, their commitment lies in promoting solar energy technologies and addressing associated challenges.
“Collaborating with Attero, a pioneer in e-waste recycling, enables us to merge our expertise to effectively confront the pressing issue of solar panel waste management,” he stated.
Typically, solar panels have a life cycle of 20 to 25 years, and a considerable amount is anticipated to reach the end of its life in the coming decade.
India's solar energy sector has experienced remarkable growth, with cumulative installed capacity reaching around 100.33 GW by the end of January 2025, making up 47 percent of the nation's renewable energy mix.
Programs like the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at providing free electricity to one crore households through rooftop solar setups, are poised to further accelerate this growth.
However, this swift adoption poses the challenge of managing end-of-life solar panels.
Forecasts suggest that India's cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) waste could hit approximately 600 kilotons by 2030, soaring to about 19,000 kilotons by 2050. Addressing this looming concern is vital for the sustainability of the country's renewable energy initiatives, according to Attero, the only company globally to receive carbon credits for recycling e-waste and lithium-ion waste.
