The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Union of India and other respondents to respond to a petition concerning the improper disposal and recycling of Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. The petition, raised through a letter, highlights the environmental dangers posed by discarded panels and calls for a structured system for their proper handling and disposal. With the increasing adoption of solar panels, particularly in rural areas, the issue of their safe disposal has become a growing concern.
In an order dated December 23, 2024, a bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson, NGT) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) observed that the petition raises important issues regarding compliance with environmental regulations, especially the implementation of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. As a result, the Tribunal has included the Ministry of Environment and other respondents as parties in the matter and issued notices to them.
The letter petition, submitted by Ashish Singh Chandel, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh, explained that solar panels have been used for irrigation purposes in his village under the Kusum Yojna since 2019. The petitioner pointed out the lack of a proper system for managing the life cycle of damaged solar panels, which are often beyond repair and must be discarded. However, the absence of proper disposal infrastructure has led to panels being buried in agricultural fields or sent to landfills, both of which negatively impact soil quality.
The Tribunal further noted that scrap dealers typically only accept recyclable components such as aluminium, copper, and glass from PV panels. The remaining materials, including polymers, silicon, and other substances, are non-recyclable and are often sent to landfills. The petition also highlighted that PV panels contain hazardous materials like lead and cadmium, which can leach into soil and water, potentially causing long-term environmental harm. The petition emphasized the absence of a formal mechanism for the safe disposal or recycling of damaged solar panels in the region.
In response, the NGT has sought a detailed reply from the concerned authorities to address these pressing environmental concerns.
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