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Sustainable Perovskite Recycling: A Nature study introduces a water-based method using sodium acetate, sodium iodide, and hypophosphorous acid to recycle Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs), eliminating toxic organic solvents like dimethylformamide. This process recovers 99% of materials and maintains efficiency over five cycles.
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Environmental Concerns with PSCs: Perovskite crystals contain toxic lead, posing environmental risks. Traditional recycling methods use harmful organic solvents.
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India’s Solar Capacity & Goals: As of April 2025, India’s installed solar capacity is 105.65 GW. Target to reach 100 GW by 2030.
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Key Initiatives: Rooftop Solar Programme supported by SUPRABHA and SRISTI; PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) has reached 10 lakh solar-powered homes.
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Challenges: Land acquisition conflicts, infrastructure deficits, investment constraints, domestic manufacturing gaps, environmental impacts (solar waste), and limited battery storage capacity.
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Solutions for Growth: Optimizing land use (agrivoltaics), grid modernization and energy storage, DISCOM reforms, circular economy for solar waste (recycling policy), enhancing domestic manufacturing (PLI scheme), and international collaboration (ISA).
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Significance of New Recycling Method: The water based recycling method adresses one of the major concerns for Perovskite cells and paves way for low-cost high-efficiency solar technology.
