India’s Solar Imports could touch $30 billion annually by 2030: Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) Report | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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India’s Solar Imports could touch $30 billion annually by 2030: Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) Report

Posted 22 Oct 2024

2 min read

It showcases China's dominance over the global solar industry affecting local manufacturing in India and other countries.

  • Presently, China controls over 80% of global solar production and exports.

Challenges in India's Solar Manufacturing Sector highlighted by report:

  • High dependency on Imports (e.g. reliance on China)  limits domestic manufacturing capacity
  • Limited raw material supply: India lacks capacity to produce high-purity polysilicon and wafer which are crucial inputs in the solar manufacturing value chain.
  • Gaps in R&D and Technology: India lags in adoption of latest solar cell technologies (e.g. PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact), bifacial, or thin-film technologies.  
  • High capital cost and financial barriers

Recommendations

  • Expansion of PLI Scheme to cover early-stage solar manufacturing and focus on upstream solar production to build local production capacity.   
  • Investment in R&D and advanced manufacturing technology for a fully integrated solar supply chain.
  • Reassessment of current import duties on solar modules and cells to promote local manufacturing.
  • Collaboration with countries such as US, EU, and Japan to reduce global reliance on China

India’s Initiatives to boost Solar Manufacturing: 

  • Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM): Government-backed projects to use solar PV modules that meet BIS standards.
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: For fully integrated solar PV manufacturing units and solar PV manufacturing. 
  • PM-KUSUM: Mandates use of domestically sourced solar cells and modules.
  • Tags :
  • PLI Scheme
  • Solar Manufacturing
  • Solar Import Dependence
  • India's Solar Manufacturing
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