MNRE calls for proposals to boost reuse, recycling in solar, battery tech
New Delhi: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched an 'Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies' with a total outlay of ₹10 crore to promote R&D in the circular economy for battery storage and
solar photovoltaic technologies
. The proposals can be submitted till July 15, 2025, under the Ministry's Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD) Scheme.
As per the Ministry's notification, the challenge is open to R&D organisations, institutions, universities, and startups based in India. Proposals must be submitted online through MNRE's research portal.
The funding support under the scheme will be provided in three categories depending on the
Technology Readiness Level
(TRL) of the innovation. For the 'Proof of Concept' category (TRL 1-3), the maximum funding is ₹10 lakh per project. For 'Potential' category projects (TRL 4–5), a support of up to ₹30 lakh will be provided. The 'Proven' innovation category (TRL 6 and above) can receive funding up to ₹2 crore or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower.
'The Challenge aims to promote and scale up research and development of circular economy approaches in the battery and solar sector,' the Ministry stated. The eligible project themes include design and manufacturing innovation, second-life use and recycling, and operational management.
Project selection will be conducted by a jury under the Ministry's R&D Project Appraisal Committee (RDPAC) based on parameters such as relevance, technical merit, scalability, innovation, and sustainability. Winners of the challenge will also be eligible for pilot implementation and demonstration funding.
According to the concept note issued by MNRE, the initiative aligns with India's national targets of achieving 50% cumulative electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
The MNRE stated that the deployment of solar and battery technologies would require circular strategies across design, reuse, and recycling to address environmental, economic, and resource challenges. 'Translating these ambitions into reality requires access to technological and process innovations across the value chain,' the concept note said.
India's commitment to circular economy also gained momentum during its G20 presidency in 2023 with the launch of the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC). MNRE leads the inter-ministerial committee on circularity for the solar sector formed under NITI Aayog's 2021 initiative.
The challenge guidelines mention that project progress will be evaluated by expert monitoring committees, and MNRE reserves the right to terminate the project if milestones are not met.
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