Attero Joins National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)
Attero, a leading cleantech company, announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), which operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This partnership aims to enhance solar panel recycling efforts in India, addressing the growing concern of solar panel waste in the country. Attero is recognized as the largest recycler of lithium-ion batteries in India and globally.
As part of the agreement, NISE will offer its expertise and insights into the current landscape of solar installations to support Attero's research and development initiatives in solar panel recycling. A pilot project will be launched to evaluate the recycling technology developed by Attero alongside NISE's technology, utilizing end-of-life solar panels provided by the institute.
The two organizations will also consider establishing a specialized testing and research facility at the NISE campus to facilitate the recycling of both lithium-ion batteries and solar panels. Additionally, they aim to produce joint technical reports and recommendations to help formulate effective recycling standards and frameworks for the industry, both in India and internationally.
Nitin Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Attero, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “As India expands its renewable energy capacity, it is essential to address the environmental implications of end-of-life solar panels. The recycling infrastructure must evolve in tandem with generation capacity to prevent a future waste crisis.” He further noted that their goal is to develop scalable, eco-friendly recycling solutions that recover and reuse critical materials. With NISE's expertise in the solar sector and Attero's established recycling technology, this partnership could pave the way for a global approach to solar panel recycling.
Dr. Mohammad Rihan, Director General of NISE, expressed commitment to advancing solar energy technologies and tackling related challenges. He stated, “Collaborating with Attero, a leader in e-waste recycling, enables us to merge our knowledge to effectively address the pressing issue of solar panel waste management.”
Solar panels generally have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years, and a significant number are expected to reach the end of their life in the coming decade. India's solar energy sector has experienced substantial growth, with a cumulative installed capacity of around 100.33 GW by the end of January 2025, representing 47% of the country's renewable energy mix. Initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to provide free electricity to one crore households through rooftop solar installations, are expected to further accelerate this growth. However, this rapid expansion poses challenges in managing end-of-life solar panels. Projections suggest that India's cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) waste could reach approximately 600 kilotons by 2030 and soar to about 19,000 kilotons by 2050. Addressing this looming issue is vital for the sustainability of India's renewable energy efforts, according to Attero, which is the only company globally to receive carbon credits for recycling e-waste and lithium-ion waste.
