India Works on Roadmap to Build Domestic Solar Manufacturing Ecosystem

 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is in the final stages of preparing a detailed roadmap to establish a local manufacturing base for wafers, ingots, and polysilicon, which are key inputs for producing solar cells and modules.

 

During a review meeting with states on renewable energy, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Centre has already drawn up a trajectory for domestic manufacturing of wafers and ingots and is working on a similar plan for polysilicon. He urged state governments to identify land and take steps to strengthen the ecosystem for solar equipment production.

 

India has already developed over 100 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity, along with a growing base for solar cells, as part of its push to create a self-reliant renewable energy supply chain. The government’s current priority is backward integration through domestic production of wafers, ingots, and polysilicon, most of which continue to be sourced from China.

 

Speaking to reporters, Joshi explained that the trajectory for wafers and ingots is ready, with the target for cell manufacturing set for 2026. The plan for polysilicon is under preparation. His remarks come as the industry prepares for the rollout of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells beginning June next year, which will require all suppliers to government-backed projects to use cells manufactured locally.

 

So far, investments in India’s solar manufacturing sector have crossed ₹50,000 crore. The minister emphasized that while capacity addition is critical, it must be matched with efficient utilization. He urged states to speed up renewable purchase obligations, finalize power purchase agreements, and allocate land transparently.