In Short : Industry leaders are urging the government to promote end-to-end solar manufacturing in India, covering everything from polysilicon to modules. Currently, the country relies heavily on imports for critical components. Strengthening the domestic supply chain will reduce dependence on foreign markets, create jobs, and support India’s goal of becoming a global hub for renewable energy manufacturing.
In Detail : The solar industry in India is calling for strong policy support to establish an end-to-end domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem. Currently, the country’s reliance on imported components such as wafers, cells, and polysilicon poses challenges to energy security. Industry players believe that achieving self-reliance in the entire value chain is crucial for long-term sustainability.
While India has made remarkable progress in expanding module manufacturing capacity, the upstream segments remain underdeveloped. The absence of facilities for polysilicon, ingots, and wafers keeps the sector dependent on global suppliers. This not only creates vulnerabilities due to supply chain disruptions but also impacts cost competitiveness in global markets.
Industry leaders are pressing the government to introduce comprehensive incentives that support manufacturing across all stages. Schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) have given a boost, but further measures are required to encourage investments in raw materials and advanced technologies. An integrated ecosystem will help India capture global market share.
Domestic solar manufacturing also presents an opportunity for job creation and skill development at scale. Building the entire supply chain within the country will generate employment for engineers, technicians, and workers across various regions. Additionally, it would help build expertise in high-tech processes such as wafer cutting and cell efficiency enhancement.
Global supply chain disruptions during the pandemic highlighted India’s vulnerability to external markets. With rising energy demand, ensuring a secure and stable supply of solar equipment becomes critical. By building indigenous capacity, India can insulate itself from geopolitical risks and volatile import prices, while fostering resilience in its renewable energy transition.
End-to-end solar manufacturing will also support India’s ambitious renewable energy targets. With plans to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030, ensuring reliable access to solar components is essential. Localized production will reduce project delays, lower costs, and accelerate the adoption of solar power across residential, commercial, and utility-scale sectors.
Industry stakeholders stress the importance of research and development alongside manufacturing. Innovation in efficiency improvements, advanced materials, and automation will be key to competing globally. Collaboration between manufacturers, research institutes, and government bodies could make India a hub not just for solar production but also for technology leadership.
The push for end-to-end solar manufacturing also has export potential. By building capabilities across the full supply chain, India can supply high-quality equipment to international markets. This aligns with the government’s vision of making India a global renewable energy hub and boosting foreign exchange earnings through clean energy exports.
The call from the industry reflects a broader understanding that energy transition must be backed by self-reliance in clean technology manufacturing. With the right policies, infrastructure, and incentives, India has the opportunity to emerge as a global leader in solar energy. Achieving this goal will ensure both sustainability and economic growth.
