Cheap Chinese imports burn domestic solar cell, module makers

Manufacturers were hoping for incentives to scale up production, but Union Budget disappointed them

Indian solar cells and modules manufacturers have not able to cash in on the opportunity of rising solar power installations thanks to Chinese competition. Between April and October 2016, India imported solar power material worth more than $1 billion.

Solar power installations in India reached 4 GW in 2016, up from 883 MW in 2014. Installations are expected to surpass 9 GW in 2017. The Centre wants to ramp up domestic manufacturing to reduce imports of solar modules but the challenge is competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Also, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled last year that India’s domestic content requirements discriminated against