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CPCB Releases Draft Guidelines for Solar PV Waste Management After Years of NSEFI Advocacy

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released draft guidelines for the management of solar PV modules and cell waste—a significant milestone in India's solar sustainability journey. This marks a long-awaited win for the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), whose advocacy began in 2019 with a comprehensive roadmap for managing PV waste across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons. The initiative was supported by Indian manufacturers and global expertise from the EU's PV Cycle and SolarPower Europe, under the then EU-India Technical Cooperation Project.

By 2023, NSEFI expanded its efforts, proposing a detailed policy and regulatory framework aimed at immediate and sustainable PV waste management. In 2024, NSEFI launched SolaRecycle India, a platform to advance solar recycling advocacy and nurture emerging recycling technologies. Led by team members Shubhang Parekh and Muskaan Sethi, NSEFI has actively engaged with manufacturers and developers in major solar hubs to pilot new solutions.

While the CPCB’s draft is only the beginning, it signifies critical policy traction. India now has the opportunity to lead in creating a robust, home-grown ecosystem for safe, sustainable, and efficient PV waste handling. The guidelines will need further refinement and stakeholder input, but they reflect the culmination of six years of persistent advocacy and collaboration.