The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has invited proposals under the ‘Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies – Batteries and Solar Photovoltaic.’

The challenge will focus on design and manufacturing innovations that promote circularity, facilitating easy dismantling and waste segregation, resource efficiency, the use of alternative materials, chemicals, and technologies for manufacturing, and the manufacture of products from recycled materials.

It will also focus on second-life use and recycling innovations that promote reuse, repair, refurbishment, re-manufacturing, recycling, and recovery of materials from waste solar panels and batteries.

Operational management innovations that help deployed solar and battery systems achieve optimal life will be another focus point. This can be achieved through the efficient monitoring of modules and batteries by enabling predictive maintenance, digitizing the supply chain, and digital labeling of solar and battery systems that provide information on their material composition, installation, handling, storage guidelines, and recycling approaches.

Proposals must be submitted by July 15, 2024.

The scope of eligible activities encompasses translational research that transforms nowledge into practical applications, as well as applied research focused on improving current systems.

To assess the maturity of the proposed technologies, the challenge uses the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework. Applicants are expected to specify the TRL of their project at both the start and end points and submit supporting documentation such as research methods, analyses, hardware prototypes, or field test data.

The TRL scale is as follows:

• TRL 1 – Basic principles observed and reported
• TRL 2 – Technology concept and/or application formulated
• TRL 3 – Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of-concept
• TRL 4 – Technology component/sub-system validation in a laboratory environment
• TRL 5 – Technology component/sub-system validation in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in case of key enabling technologies)
• TRL 6 – Technology sub-system or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment
• TRL 7 – Technology system prototype demonstration in an operational environment
• TRL 8 – Actual technology system completed and qualified through testing and demonstration
• TRL 9 – Actual technology system proven in its operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies)

For this challenge, innovations are categorized into three groups: proof of concept (TRL 1-3), potential innovations (TRL 4-5), and proven innovations (TRL 6 and above). Supporting evidence is required to verify the TRL classification of each innovation. Applicants must provide supporting documents to verify the TRL of their innovations.

Eligibility

Eligible technologies must be entirely based in India. This includes the location of the product development teams and facilities, adherence to relevant certifications and regulatory requirements, and compliance with market entry standards. The proposed technologies must align with at least one of the three themes of the challenge: design and manufacturing innovation, second-life use and recycling innovation, or operational management innovation.

Evaluation Criteria

Funding will be provided to selected winners based on the nature of their innovation, proposed costs, and their categorization according to the TRL scale. The evaluation process consists of two stages. The first involves an initial screening conducted by the Secretariat of the Challenge, and the second involves a detailed shortlisting by a designated Jury. Selection will be based the completeness of the application, relevance of the proposal, technical merit, level of innovation, potential for scalability and commercialization, sustainability, and the broader benefits of the proposed outcomes.

Financial Support

The financial support will be capped according to both a maximum amount and a percentage of the total project cost, depending on the innovation’s TRL category.

For proof-of-concept innovations, each winner can receive up to ₹1 million (~$11,620) or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. The maximum allocation for this category is ₹5 million (~$58,101).

For potential innovations, funding of up to ₹3 million (~$34,860) or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower, may be awarded per winner, with an overall cap of ₹15 million (~$174,293).

For proven innovations, each selected project may receive up to ₹20 million (~$232,391) or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. The total allocation for this category stands at ₹80 million (~$929,565).

The cumulative financial support across all categories will not exceed ₹100 million (~$1.16 million).

The financial support granted through this initiative must be used specifically to advance the TRL stage in the case of proof-of-concept and potential innovations or to conduct pilot demonstrations in the case of proven innovations. Winners will be required to provide documentary evidence showing the appropriate use of funds as and when requested by the Secretariat.

Monitoring and evaluation responsibilities will be assigned to project monitoring committees f subject matter experts. These committees will oversee the technical and financial progress of the winning projects. Regular reporting by the innovators will be necessary to track development and ensure accountability.

Recently, the Central Pollution Control Board issued draft guidelines for the collection and storage of waste from solar modules and cells.

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