The International Solar Alliance (ISA) on October 28 launched a platform called ‘SUNRISE’ for recycling solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery wastes that would be used by its member countries and beyond.
SUNRISE stands for solar upcycling network for recycling, innovation and stakeholder engagement. “This initiative is crucial from the critical mineral standpoint because not many know that 90-95 percent of critical mineral can be recovered from a solar PV plants once they are decommissioned post their life cycle,” said Ashish Khanna, Director General, ISA. He was speaking to reporters during the 8th assembly of ISA in New Delhi on October 28.
Solar PV panels and batteries contain critical minerals. Solar panels require minerals like silicon, silver, copper, and indium, while batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, rely on critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. These minerals are essential for the performance and durability of these clean energy technologies.
He further said currently there are no global standards for recycling solar PV modules and batteries. “While such norms are missing in most countries, those who have it vary widely from each other with no common ground. ISA will help its member countries with policy and regulatory readiness support, capacity building, data and waste mapping, technology support, regional infrastructure and investment,” Khanna said.
Addressing the ISA event, President Droupadi Murmu said that by 2050, India aims not only to meet its clean energy targets but also to become a hub that aggregates global solar demand and drives innovation, manufacturing and knowledge exchange. “Our progress should not only be measured through megawatts but through the number of lives illuminated, the number of families strengthened, and the number of communities transformed. The focus should also be on technology development and on sharing latest and advanced technologies with all for maximum benefit,” she said.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and President of the ISA Pralhad Joshi said India’s successful models such as PM-KUSUM will be replicated in other member countries, especially the African nations.
When asked about China and Russia being included as ISA members, Khanna said the global body is open to new members and it is "fully possible" that it will "have a UN-type of a system" in the future.
ISA has 124 member and signatory countries, including both fully ratified members and signatories. Key members include India, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, along with many countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific.
He further said that for the first time, in the initial six months of this calendar year, the total energy generated from renewable energy was higher than that from coal globally.
"It took 25 years for the world to reach 1000 gigawatt (GW) of solar capacity, yet in just two years, the next 1000 GW has been reached." He added that projections indicate this capacity could double again within the next four years, "reaching 4600 GW globally."
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