As the global transition to renewable energy moves forward, solar power stands at the forefront of this movement. But while solar energy is clean and abundant, the process of manufacturing, deploying, and eventually disposing of solar panels has environmental challenges of its own. There are studies and data that show a significant rise in solar panel waste by 2030, which brings up the question – how do we make solar truly sustainable?
The answer lies in the principles of the circular economy. Unlike the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” a circular approach reimagines production and consumption to reduce waste, retain value, and reuse resources. And when it comes to solar PV module manufacturing, following this model is not just responsible but it’s necessary.
Rethinking the Way We Build Solar
At the heart of the circular economy are three core principles: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. When these are applied to solar PV manufacturing, this helps in creating modules that are more efficient, durable, and recyclable.
Today, many manufacturers are already exploring ways to rethink the design of solar modules. From reducing the use of rare or toxic materials to making use of minimalist structures, the focus is on building panels that require fewer resources without compromising performance. Designing for disassembly is another popular approach where components can be easily separated and reused or recycled at the end of their life.
Keeping Modules in Use, Longer
One of the key pillars of circularity is improving and enhancing a product’s lifespan. In the solar industry, this would mean ensuring that the panels remain operational and efficient for as long as possible. Whether it’s through robust quality control during manufacturing or offering repair and maintenance options, keeping panels in circulation prevents premature disposal and reduces the burden on recycling systems.
There’s also secondary markets where panels that no longer meet the performance standards for commercial installations can still be used in rural electrification or non-grid applications. This type of reuse not only delays waste but also brings clean energy to communities that need it the most.
Closing the Loop with Recycling and Recovery
After extending the lifespan of solar panels, the next crucial step is ensuring they are properly recycled at the end of their life. This process is a key factor in determining the sustainability of the entire lifecycle. In a circular model, recycling plays a vital role.
Modern recycling processes can now recover key materials such as glass, silicon, silver, and aluminum from decommissioned panels. But there’s still work to be done. High-efficiency recycling is costly and requires technological investments. For the circular economy in solar to work at scale, accessible and standardized recycling infrastructure needs to be developed across regions.
Some countries, especially in Europe, have made progress with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks that require manufacturers to take accountability for their products post-use. In India, there is a growing awareness around this but the policy landscape is yet to align to support this model.
Why is Circularity in Solar Manufacturing Important
Moving toward circular solar manufacturing brings real-time environmental, economic, and strategic benefits. For one, it significantly reduces the amount of waste ending up in landfills. It also reduces the need to depend on raw materials, conserving resources and reducing the carbon footprint of production.
Economically, circularity opens up new value chains. The recycling and refurbishment process has the potential to create jobs, inspire innovation, and offer new business models. And strategically, it will also reduce dependency on imports for raw materials, a very important factor for India since we’re working on building a self-reliant renewable energy ecosystem.
A Global Movement with Local Relevance
The global solar industry is already recognizing the need for this shift. In the European Union, regulations like the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive require proper collection and recycling of solar modules. Several manufacturers are investing in R&D to make their panels more circular-friendly.
In India, where solar manufacturing is still growing under initiatives like the PLI Scheme and the National Manufacturing Mission, the timing is important to integrate circularity from the ground up. Instead of thinking about solutions later, Indian manufacturers have the opportunity to include circular thinking into the very design of their products and processes.
Challenges That Still Need Solving
While the promise of circularity is attractive, the path forward is not without its challenges. A lack of large-scale recycling facilities, unclear guidelines on panel disposal, and limited awareness among users continue to slow down progress. Also, advanced recycling technologies require a lot of capital investment.
Building a strong return system and encouraging manufacturers to design products that can be reused or recycled will be needed. Collaboration between industry, policymakers, research institutions, and recyclers will help with the development of scalable and cost-effective solutions.
What Manufacturers Can Do Today
Even before policy mandates catch up, there is much that solar manufacturers can do to lead this transition:
- Design for disassembly: Use materials and connections that make recycling easier.
- Reduce material intensity: Optimize designs to use fewer or more sustainable inputs.
- Engage in partnerships: Collaborate with recyclers and innovators to pilot circular solutions.
- Educate stakeholders: Create awareness about circularity among customers, dealers, and project developers.
- Track panel lifecycle data: Implement systems that can monitor performance and manage end-of-life more effectively.
What’s Next: GREW Solar’s Vision
As one of India’s fastest-growing solar PV module manufacturers, GREW Solar is committed to forward-thinking strategies that combine progress and technology with responsibility. With an ambitious roadmap to scale up to 8GW of module capacity and 3 GW of solar cell capacity by 2026, we are also building advanced facilities in Jaipur and Narmadapuram (Madhya Pradesh) to support this growth.
Our journey toward backward integration, including manufacturing wafers and ingots, is not just about efficiency, it’s about building a resilient, self-reliant supply chain that minimizes environmental impact. As we explore expansion into Jammu and Kashmir, we remain focused on developing infrastructure that supports a sustainable future.
The integration of circular economy principles is a natural extension of this vision. We understand that powering the world responsibly means thinking beyond the module. It means building solar solutions and advancing solar energy to create a positive impact – for people, for businesses, and for the planet, not just for today, but for decades to come.
Sustainability isn’t just a goal, it’s how we operate. Learn more about the initiatives powering GREW Solar’s sustainable journey.
