• 06 Apr 2024

Solar Waste Management

Why in News?

Recently, a report titled 'Enabling a Circular Economy in India’s Solar Industry – Assessing the Solar Waste Quantum' shed light on India's escalating solar waste crisis.

Key Points

• The study was conducted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in collaboration with experts from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (a leading not-for-profit policy research institution in Asia).
• Key Highlights of the Report are:
  • The current solar capacity of India, as of FY23, has generated about 100 kilotonnes (kt) of cumulative waste, which will increase to 340 kt by 2030.
  • Around 67% of the projected waste by 2030 is expected to be produced by five states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Discarded solar modules contain critical minerals essential for India's economic development and national security, including silicon, copper, tellurium, and cadmium.
• Rajasthan has the highest solar power generation potential of all states in the country.
  • As of August 2023, Rajasthan's operational solar power projects produced roughly 17.8 GW of solar energy.

Solar Waste

• It is any waste generated during the manufacturing of solar modules, or discarded modules and scrap from manufacturing processes.
  • Modules are discarded at the end of their functional life or due to damages from transportation, handling, and installation.
  • Improper handling and landfilling of solar waste should be avoided. Proper treatment is necessary to reclaim valuable minerals and prevent the leaching of toxic materials like lead and cadmium.
• According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), approximately 80% of solar panel components, including glass and metal frames, are recyclable.
  • Solar waste can be recycled to recover materials like glass, aluminium, copper, silicon and silver.
  • Recycling can be broadly categorised into mechanical, thermal and chemical processes.
    • Each process helps in the recovery of specific minerals of varying purity grades.

Health Department Guidelines For Managing Heat-Related Illness

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Health Department has issued guidelines to all District Magistrates and Chief Medical Officers with the preparations for the prevention and management of heat-related diseases in the state during summer.

Key Points

• According to the Indian Meteorological Department, most parts of the country are likely to experience higher temperatures than usual during this summer, especially the central and north-western parts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Various institutions have anticipated seasonal outbreaks of diseases between March and May 2024.
  • There is a higher likelihood of heatwaves prevailing in the central and north-western regions of the country from March to May 2024.
• The Health Department will have inter-departmental coordination to organise an array of events to raise awareness about heat-related diseases as well as their prevention and management.
  • The department will make arrangements for cool and clean drinking water in crowded places and provide shelters for heat protection.
  • Weather forecasts and temperatures will be displayed on screens installed at crowded locations, while awareness sessions will be held on protection from heat waves in schools.
  • The Department will prioritise the training and awareness of medical officers, paramedical staff, and frontline workers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills to promptly identify and treat these diseases.
  • Sufficient availability of essential medications, intravenous fluids, ice packs, oral rehydration salts, and other necessary supplies will be ensured.
  • Educational materials will be distributed to raise public awareness about heat-related illnesses and how to prevent and manage them.

Uttar Pradesh Government Procures Power Units to Address Deficit

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has traded 5,500 million unit (Mu) power from 11 states though power banks.

• Around 4,000 Mu will be supplied during the high energy demand period (April-October).

Key Points

• In 2023, the state established a high demand of 28,284 megawatt (Mw), while the power corporation arranged for 3,000 Mu of energy from five states to overcome the demand-supply gap.
• UP’s power banking state partners include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
• Uttar Pradesh's peak energy demand is likely to breach 31,000 Mw in 2024 and to 53,000 Mw by 2028.
  • However, the state government is hopeful that it will ramp up renewable energy generation sufficiently.
  • The state is targeting 22,000 Mw of solar energy generation in 4-5 years.

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)

• Established on 14th January 2000, as the result of power sector reforms and restructuring in UP which is the focal point of the Power Sector, responsible for planning and managing the sector through its transmission, distribution and supply of electricity.
• It is a professionally managed utility supplying reliable and cost efficient electricity to every citizen of the state.

World’s Oldest Ghost Fair in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News?

The Ghost fair, also known as ‘bhooton ka mela’ is a 400 years old fair organised every year in the village of Malajpur (Betul district), Madhya Pradesh.

• The fair attracts pilgrims, mystics, and curious travellers from across the globe.

Key Points

• Every year on the occasion of Basant Panchami a fair is conducted on the Tombstone of Hindu Saint "Gurusahab Baba".
  • This ghost fair is celebrated for three weeks, and people ‘possessed’ by evil spirits, visit the village to get rid of such negative energies.
• According to the legend, Malajpur Ghost Fair dates back to the 18th century when a man called Deoji Maharaj with magical powers, visited the village. Eventually he started controlling spirits and exorcising people.