India Exports Solar Modules To 120 Countries, US Biggest Destination

India Exports Solar Modules To 120 Countries, US Biggest Destination

With a boost in domestic solar module manufacturing capacities, India’s exports to other countries are expanding. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy RK Singh recently shared the data on exports and imports of solar cells and solar modules from India. The data was shared before the Parliament as a written response from the minister on the issue. A close analysis of the latest available data (2022-23) revealed that the United States (US) remained the largest client for exports of solar modules from India. 

As per the data, India exported solar modules valued at USD 1031.36 million in 2022-23. Out of this, the total export value for the US alone remained at USD 1000 million, which was close to 97% of the total exports of solar modules from India. Some of the other countries where Indika exported solar modules included UAE (USD 5.67 million), South Africa ($ 5.15 million), Afghanistan ($ 4 million) and Turkey ( $3.80 million).

However, the overall export and import data for the period revealed that India heavily relied on imports of solar cells and solar modules rather than its exports of solar products. As per the details shared by the minister, the total value of imports of solar cells and solar modules stood at $1310 million and $ 94,353 million, respectively.  The total value of imports of solar cells and solar modules stood at $ 715,969 million. On the contrary, India’s total exports of solar modules stood at $1031.36 in 2022-23 and the total value of exports of solar cells stood at merely $1.10 million. 

MNRE Minister RK Singh also claimed that India has become self-sufficient in solar modules but admitted that the country struggles with solar cell manufacturing capacity. 

“As per data in respect of solar module manufacturing capacity enlisted in Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) or applied for enlistment in ALMM and independent assessment by Nation Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the installed capacity of solar PV module manufacturing capacity in the country is around 50 GW. As per industry feedback, the installed capacity of solar cell manufacturing in the country is around 6 GW. Thus, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in the production of solar modules/panels but the country is yet to achieve substantial capacity in the production of solar cells,” Singh said. 

As per the data (shown above), India continued to rely heavily on China for the imports of solar cells. The total value of imports of solar cells from China stood at $581.45 million. Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia followed it. On the other hand, when it comes to solar modules, China continues to have the upper hand. In 2022-23, India imported solar modules with a total value of $ 874 million. India’s total imports of solar cells and modules stood at $ 715,969 million during the period.

The minister said that approximately 11,171 Million USD worth of solar cells and modules have been imported into the country in the last five years, which is around 0.4% of India’s total merchandise imports during the same period.

India’s total renewable energy capacity has already touched 180 GW, with solar power reaching around 73 GW. In the calendar year of 2023 alone, India added around 10 GW of solar power and around 2.8 GW of wind power.