Header Logo
solar farm
Revolutionizing Solar Waste Management in IndiaWattCycle is India’s first deep-tech startup dedicated to creating a circular economy for the solar industry. We provide intelligent, scalable, and sustainable solutions to recycle solar PV panels at the end of their life

India’s Growing Solar Waste Challenge

India leads in solar installations, targeting 280 GW by 2030. But aging panels bring a hidden crisis: solar waste. Without scalable infrastructure, valuable materials are lost and environmental threats grow. It's time for sustainable action.

broken solar pannel
Recycling process graphic

Intelligent, Green, and Profitable Recycling

WattCycle's end-to-end platform integrates:
AI-Powered Drone Diagnostics for accurate EoL detection.
On-Site Modular Disassembly to reduce logistics costs.
High-Purity Material Recovery using green chemistry.
High-Value Upcycling into photodetectors & battery components.
Our Partners

Spin Of IIT Mandi And Incupated At IIT Mandi Catalyst And Backed By GICRE CSR Initiative

iit Mandi
IIT Mandi
Catalyst
Catalyst
GIC Re
About US

Pioneering a Sustainable Future for Solar Energy in India

Our Story

WattCycle was founded to solve India’s emerging solar waste problem. As installations surge, millions of aging solar panels pose environmental risks and resource loss. Incubated at IIT Mandi, WattCycle is India’s first deep-tech company dedicated solely to solar PV recycling.

Our Mission

We aim to turn solar waste into a circular economy opportunity, in alignment with "Make in India" and "Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat".

Our Approach

Using a systems approach, we combine AI diagnostics, decentralized disassembly, and green recovery methods to set a new benchmark in solar waste management.

The Problem

The Dark Side of a Bright Future: India's Solar Waste Crisis

India's capacity has grown from under 3 GW in 2014 to over 80 GW in 2024. But each panel has a lifespan of just 20-25 years.
Challenges
Panel Degradation: Leads to cracks, corrosion, and declining efficiency.
Massive Waste Volume: Global solar waste to reach 78 million tons by 2050.
Infrastructure Gap: India lacks scalable, clean recycling solutions.
Loss & Cost:
80% of valuable materials lost.
Maintenance of aged panels is costly
Toxic materials pose disposal risks.
Why Act Now?
With PV modules now covered under India’s E-Waste Rules (2022), the urgency to act is greater than ever.

Our Funding Partner

Header Logo
Header Logo
Strategic Investor

GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, is known for backing high-growth startups globally across sectors including fintech, logistics, and digital platforms. Notable investments include CRED, Razorpay, and Locus.

Header Logo
Growth Catalyst

GIC’s funding typically supports major scaling initiatives—such as expanding operations, building advanced tech infrastructure, entering new markets, or accelerating revenue growth.

Header Logo
Track Record

GIC has led or co-led large funding rounds—examples include a $200 M investment in fintech company CRED (valuing it at over $6.5 B) and backing fintech players like Razorpay.

Header Logo
Credibility and scale boost

Being backed by GIC enhances credibility in the eyes of investors and partners, signaling long-term stability and confidence in your growth potential.

Our Solution & Technology

An Integrated Platform for Intelligent Solar Recycling

WattCycle's end-to-end model addresses diagnostics, disassembly, recovery, and upcycling.

  1. 1

    AI-Powered Drone Diagnostics

    Patent App: 202411079477
    Drones with EL and thermal cameras detect EoL panels quickly and accurately. AI analysis ensures optimal decision-making.
  2. 2

    On-Site Modular Disassembly

    Patent App: 202311043553
    First-of-its-kind semi-automated units for on-site panel dismantling:
    Cuts transport costs.
    Enables ≥5 panels/hour throughput.
    Creates skilled rural jobs.
  3. 3

    High-Purity Material Recovery

    Green chemical methods extract 90%+ of silicon, silver, and aluminum. Minimal waste (<5%) and no toxic byproducts.
  4. 4

    High-Value Upcycling

    Recovered materials are transformed into:
    Photodetectors.
    Li-ion battery anodes : This creates up to 18x more value and supports a true circular economy.
Services & Business Model

Flexible and Scalable Solutions for the Solar Ecosystem

Our Services:
Recycling-as-a-Service (RaaS): On-site diagnostics to final recovery.
Material Sales: Supplying high-purity silicon, silver, aluminum, and upcycled components.
SaaS Platform: Licensing of AI-powered drone diagnostics.
Equipment Leasing & Sales: Modular disassembly systems for recyclers and regional operators.
Market Opportunity:From a ₹300 Cr market in 2025 to ₹9,000 Cr by 2030, WattCycle is poised for exponential impact.
Impact

Creating Environmental, Social, and Economic Value

Social Impact:
Job Creation (SDG 8, 5, 11): Rural & women-focused employment in decentralized hubs.
Health & Safety (SDG 3, 8): Replaces unsafe informal handling with formal systems.
Energy Access (SDG 7, 10): Reuse of viable panels for off-grid use (schools, microgrids).
Environmental & Economic Impact:
Local Manufacturing (SDG 9, 12): Reintegration of recovered materials into solar MSMEs.
Circular Economy (SDG 13, 12): Turning waste into high-value resources and reducing emissions.
Contact US

Get in Touch