India’s MNRE Suggests Mandatory Recycling of Solar Panel Glass Containing Antimony
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a blueprint for the utilization, manufacture, disposal, and import of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and glass containing Antimony. Antimony is a chemical element used in PV panels that has been found to have hazardous effects on the environment. According to the MNRE, the management of PV modules needs to follow the cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment in four stages: component production, module manufacturing, module use, and end-of-life- use stage so that disposal is undertaken in an environmentally safe way and glass is recycled for resource efficiency.
The ministry has released the concept note after directions issued by the National Green Tribunal in Delhi. The issue of controlling the hazardous impact of Antimony dates back to August 2017 when a lawyer filed a plea with the National Green Tribunal citing the severe adverse impact on the environment resulting from solar PV panels. It sought a direction to the Central Pollution Control Board to amend the E-Waste Rules, 2016 and bring antimony within the scope of the rules pertaining to hazardous substances. Read more here: https://mercomindia.com/mnre-recycling-solar-panel-glass/