India expands solar sourcing rules to cover ingots and wafers from June 2028
The Facts
- India’s renewable energy ministry has expanded the ALMM framework to include solar ingots and wafers, with the new rules set to take effect from June 1, 2028.
- The policy requires covered solar projects to use domestically made ingots and wafers from approved manufacturers, extending sourcing rules further up the solar supply chain beyond modules and cells.
- The government says the move is intended to reduce import dependence and curb Chinese imports.
- India’s current manufacturing capacity for solar ingots and wafers is about 2 GW, according to reporting on the policy.
- Industry groups and executives have said upstream solar manufacturing is capital-intensive and have called for support such as viability gap funding or other subsidies.
- The new rules include grandfathering provisions to protect projects already in the pipeline.
- Reports say the industry is seeking up to Rs 25,000 crore in viability gap funding and aims to build 50 GW of ingot and wafer capacity.
Context
What is ALMM List-III?
ALMM List-III is the new Approved List of Models and Manufacturers category for solar ingots and wafers. Under the expanded framework, projects covered by the rules will have to source these components from approved manufacturers once the June 1, 2028 deadline takes effect Business Standard,@businessline,Social News XYZ.
Why is the government adding ingots and wafers to the sourcing mandate?
The stated goal is to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, especially from China, by pushing local production deeper into the solar supply chain Reuters,Financial Express,Business Standard,@businessline.
What kind of support is the industry asking for?
Industry reporting says solar manufacturers want capital support, including viability gap funding, because upstream production of ingots and wafers is capital-intensive; one report says the sector has sought up to Rs 25,000 crore in VGF MoneyControl,mint,@businessline.
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