Attero, the country’s largest electronic waste recycler and a global leader in lithium-ion battery recycling, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), to develop innovative solutions for managing end-of-life solar panel waste in India.

The collaboration comes at a critical time, as the nation’s rapid adoption of solar energy raises urgent questions around the long-term sustainability of its renewable infrastructure. Under the MoU, NISE will contribute technical knowledge and insights on India’s solar energy landscape, supporting Attero’s R&D initiatives aimed at building scalable solar panel recycling technologies.

As part of the agreement, a pilot project will be launched to test recycling technologies developed by both Attero and NISE, using end-of-life solar panels supplied by the institute. The organizations are also exploring the establishment of a dedicated research and testing facility on the NISE campus for both solar panel and lithium-ion battery recycling.

“This collaboration with NISE is a timely and strategic initiative,” said Nitin Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Attero. “Our goal is to build scalable, environmentally friendly recycling solutions to close the loop on solar waste. With NISE’s deep ecosystem knowledge and Attero’s proven recycling capabilities, we aim to shape a global model for solar panel recycling.”

The partnership also aims to produce jointly authored technical papers and policy recommendations to shape national and global recycling frameworks. Dr. Mohammad Rihan, Director General of NISE, said, “Partnering with Attero allows us to combine expertise and address the critical issue of solar panel waste management effectively.”

India’s cumulative solar capacity reached 100.33 GW as of January 2025, accounting for 47% of its total renewable energy mix. Flagship initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to deliver free electricity to one crore households through rooftop solar installations, are accelerating this growth. However, the surge in adoption is set to generate significant solar photovoltaic (PV) waste, projected to reach 600 kilotons by 2030 and nearly 19,000 kilotons by 2050.

Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 20–25 years, and large volumes are expected to reach end-of-life in the coming decade. Without proper recycling infrastructure, this could create a new environmental challenge in the clean energy space.

As India’s premier institute for solar R&D and policy implementation, NISE plays a key role in advancing the National Solar Mission through technology development, certification, and capacity building. Attero, meanwhile, is globally recognized for its proprietary recycling technology that recovers over 22 elements with 98% efficiency and 99.9% purity, with minimal environmental impact.

Together, Attero and NISE aim to establish India as a global benchmark for sustainable solar waste management, aligning with the country’s broader goals of a circular economy and green energy future.