ALMM To Lead Positive Growth of Indian Solar Manufacturing Industry, Says Industry Associations

Implementation of the Indian domestic solar ALMM (The Aproved List of Models and Manufacturers) is crucial to safeguard investments of 7.2 Billion (INR 53,773 crore), which India would need over the next three to four years to indigenise its solar manufacturing value chain.

The Indian solar industry will have more than 95 GW of PV manufacturing capacity if it continues to focus on domestic manufacturing. Additional production of solar cells is expected to rise to 18 GW by 2023.

Mr Ashwini Sehgal, President, ISMA, said, “ALMM implementation was a reaffirmation of the government’s inclination towards bringing India’s economic growth, job creation, and fulfilling net zero target through solar. Improving domestic solar manufacturing is expected to bring $30 billion (INR 2.3 lakh crore) to domestic manufacturers in revenues by 2030 (by selling 150 GW at INR 15/Wp). However, delaying ALMM implementation would certainly impact capacity expansion investments made by domestic manufacturers in a negative manner, thus slowing progress of realizing Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

Mr Hitesh Doshi, President, AISIA, said, “The opportunities for growth are there for India and with growing solar demand it will only bring in more advantage only if we focus on nurturing domestic solar manufacturing. Besides, according to IEA, China holds 80% share of all key manufacturing stages of solar panels in global solar market. China concentrating the supply chains to itself is leading to imbalances and correction is needed to create a solar industry that is resilient to supply side shocks or other crisis. We are confident India can play a larger role with support of favourable and timely implementation of policies such as ALMM.”

Mr. Manish Gupta, President, NIMMA further added, “We are wholeheartedly appreciative of Government of India’s policy reformations and development of favourable environment for Indian solar growth. With timely implementation of ALMM, our country stands to claim a much higher position in leading national and global solar transition through continuous manufacturing capacity expansion and R&D. We appeal to you for a swift resolution in the matter, prioritizing domestic solar manufacturing sector, which is aligned to serve net zero targets and clean energy mission.”

ALMM list features 83 solar module manufacturers totaling 20.98 GW capacity.

The outlook for solar manufacturing sector both in the Indian and global markets on the back of government’s policy push, climate action commitments and carbon-neutrality goals coupled with China+1 strategy to diversify supply lines offers immense opportunity for indigenous solar PV module manufacturing. India is expected to play a larger role in the global supply chain.

The government of India’s continues focus and policy support to build a robust solar manufacturing ecosystem is noteworthy.

The Indian solar manufacturing sector will continue to collaborate with the government to enable the target of 500 GW renewable energy by 2030 and India’s net zero emission target by 2070.