This report presents insights from the “Waste Not, Watts Hot” webinar on solar energy sustainability, the first in a three-part series exploring the unintended consequences of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET). It focuses on solar photovoltaics (PV) in South Africa and India, highlighting both the opportunities of solar power and the pressing challenges of managing PV waste sustainably.
The discussions covered recycling practices, environmental and social governance (ESG) impacts, and the potential for PV module repair and reuse. Speakers shared lessons from industry and research, stressing the need to move beyond “strip and dump” practices, implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and create markets for second-life solar panels. Case studies from India provided valuable comparisons, particularly on waste forecasting, recycling infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks for solar waste.
By combining perspectives from both countries, the report underscores the importance of proactive policies and circular economy approaches to solar energy. It calls for stronger regulation, innovative business models, and inclusive stakeholder collaboration to ensure that solar energy not only supports the low-carbon transition but also avoids becoming a future source of hazardous waste.
