India implements a policy to promote domestic solar panel manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, particularly from China, amid its ambitious renewable energy targets.
Need for Policy Implementation:
Reducing Import Dependency: India aims to decrease its reliance on imported solar panels, particularly from China, which dominates about 80% of the global supply.
Promoting Domestic Industry: The policy aims to boost the domestic solar panel manufacturing industry by certifying companies with approved manufacturing facilities, thereby enabling them to compete for government tenders.
Meeting Renewable Energy Targets: India seeks to source 500 GW, nearly half of its electricity requirement, from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, necessitating significant growth in solar power capacity.
Challenges and Considerations:
Limited Domestic Capacity: India's domestic solar industry currently struggles to meet the demand for solar panels, requiring imports to fulfill installations.
Competitive Pricing: Domestic manufacturers face challenges competing with cheaper Chinese imports, despite paying for government certification.
Quality Assurance: While promoting domestic manufacturing, ensuring stringent quality checks is vital to maintain the affordability and reliability of solar power for consumers.