THE GREAT INDIAN SOLAR HARVEST

Government initiatives, such as the PLI scheme and the ALMM list, have increased innovation, reduced import dependence, and strengthened energy security.

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The Indian solar manufacturing sector is undergoing a rapid shift towards self-reliance, facilitated by the integration of automation and AI. As of September 2025, module capacity has doubled to 74 GW, and cell production has tripled, which reflects a strategic move toward domestic production. Leading companies are leveraging high-efficiency technologies in their production processes. Additionally, government initiatives such as the PLI scheme and the ALMM list have increased innovation, reduced import dependence, and strengthened energy security. These efforts are positioning India as a global leader in solar manufacturing and renewable energy innovation. Let us gain insight from industry experts into the current scenario and the path ahead, shaping the sector.

Self-reliance in solar manufacturing

The country is on its way to self-reliance in solar manufacturing. Investing in research and innovation and reducing dependence on imports is on the cards. While complete independence is challenging due to critical mineral scarcity, strategic partnerships and localised supply chains can strengthen and support sustainable growth in the solar sector.

Commenting on the development, Amod Anand of Loom Solar shares, "Total supply-chain independence, given China's entrenched upstream dominance and cost advantage, remains a distant goal for any nation. We believe the focus on strategic self-reliance, driven by policies like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, is a pragmatic and powerful way to secure India's green future."

Self-reliance in solar manufacturing would entail growing module and cell capacity through upstream manufacturing, making significant investments in research and development, and moving beyond mere assembly of parts. Gautam Mohanka of Gautam Solar expresses, "At present, there is a huge trade imbalance, and to overcome that we need localisation to avoid reliance on technological imports."