AISMA Announces 60 GW Milestone for Solar Manufacturing In India

The All India Solar Manufacturers Association (AISMA) has announced a historic milestone for the industry in India – an annual installed capacity of 60 GW of high-end solar module manufacturing in India. This marks a significant increase in capacity over the last few years, from less than 10 GW of low-wattage Polysilicon modules in FY 20-21, to the current 60 GW of high-wattage and technologically advanced Mono Perc, Topcon and HJT modules. The solar manufacturing capacity increases are an outcome of proactive efforts by multiple existing and emerging manufacturers to prepare for the rise of solar worldwide, and in India.

The increase in India’s solar manufacturing capacity also follows a concerted bid by the central government through the MNRE, and some key states like Gujarat to support solar manufacturing, ranging in efforts from protective duties on module and cell imports to incentive schemes like the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) for solar manufacturing. Even the manufacturing linked solar tender that was floated in 2019 has come close to delivering incremental manufacturing finally.

India aims to build 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with solar energy expected to contribute to 300 GW of this capacity. With solar power installations in the country growing at 30% per annum, India seeks to become a supplier of choice across the globe with its heightened solar manufacturing capacity. High-quality Indian-manufactured solar modules have found a receptive market in North America and Europe.

In 2023 alone, Indian solar manufacturers have exported 3900 MW of solar modules – with the potential to expand this to 30 GW per annum, earning 7-8 billion USD in foreign exchange, and reversing the trend of heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports.
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) has ensured that the country will add an additional 40 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity by the end of FY 24-25.

This addition also strategically prioritizes backward integration, aiding energy security while ensuring a reliable supply chain for domestic solar installation, pegged upwards of 30 GW per annum. There are over 100 solar module manufactures in country, with the top 27 accounting for 50 GW of the capacity.

Apart from above in current FY Reliance and Tata are expected to add 9 GW solar manufacturing capacity, other players are expected to add 3 GW which will make country ‘s module manufacturing capacity 72 GW end of current FY.
Commenting on the milestone, Hitesh Doshi, President, AISMA, said “This is indeed a phenomenal achievement for the Indian solar manufacturing sector. Solar energy adoption is a critical component of the clean energy transition, and India’s growing leadership in the space will enable the country to play a predominant role in the global renewable energy market.”