NGT Seeks Response from Centre Over Improper Solar Panel Disposal and Recycling

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Centre and several other authorities regarding the improper disposal and recycling of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

As per the reports, the notice follows a letter petition filed by a farmer from Uttar Pradesh, who has been using solar panels for energy generation under the Kusum Yojna since 2019. The petition raised concerns about the lack of a system for managing the life cycle of damaged solar panels.

In its order dated December 23, 2024, the NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, addressed the issue, noting that the panels, once damaged and irreparable, were either buried in agricultural fields or sent to landfills due to the absence of proper disposal mechanisms. This practice, according to the petitioner, could potentially degrade soil quality.

The NGT observed that while scrap dealers accepted materials like aluminium, copper, and glass, other components of the panels, including polymers and silicon, are non-recyclable. These substances, which often include hazardous materials like lead and cadmium, pose significant environmental risks. If improperly disposed of, these heavy metals could leach into the soil and water, causing long-term damage to ecosystems.

The tribunal emphasised the urgent need for an established mechanism for the safe disposal and recycling of damaged solar panels. The petition raised serious concerns about the enforcement of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, and the non-compliance with environmental norms in handling these materials.

In response to the serious issues raised, the NGT added key organisations to the case. These include the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). The MoEFCC’s Lucknow office was also included.

According to reports, the tribunal has issued notices to all respondents, asking them to address the concerns raised in the petition. The next hearing is set for February 10, when authorities are anticipated to present their views on the issue.

As the use of solar panels grows, particularly under government schemes like Kusum Yojna in rural areas, the need for a structured and efficient system to manage the disposal and recycling of these panels becomes increasingly critical to prevent potential environmental harm.