India has achieved self-sufficiency in production of solar modules; solar panels worth $ 1.03 billion exported from India in 2022-23: Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister – EQ

In Short : The Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister states that India has achieved self-sufficiency in the production of solar modules. Additionally, solar panels worth $1.03 billion were exported from India during the fiscal year 2022-23. This reflects the country’s progress in the solar energy sector and its ability to meet domestic demand while contributing to the global market.

In Detail : The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed about the status of production of solar cells and panels in the country.

The solar power generation capacity added in the country in Financial Year 2022-23 was around 12.78 GW. 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 production of solar cells.

Around 11,171 Million USD of solar cells and modules have been imported into the country in the last five years, which is around 0.4% of total India’s merchandise imports during the same period. The details of solar cells and modules imported in the country for last five years, country-wise, as per the website pertaining to Export-Import Data Bank of Department of Commerce, are given below.

Details of solar cells and modules imported into the country for the last five years, country-wise

*Till FY 2020-21, Solar Cells, whether or not assembled in modules were classified under HS Code 85414011.

In FY 2021-22, the HS Code 85414011 was retained for Solar PV Cells and new HS Code 85414012 was brought in for Solar PV Modules.

Subsequently, from FY 2022-23, the Solar PV Cells and Solar PV Modules (other than those exclusively used with ITA-1 items) are put under HS Codes 85414200 and 85414300 respectively.

The details of solar cells and modules exported from the country for the last five years, country-wise, as per the website pertaining to Export-Import Data Bank of Department of Commerce, are given below.

Details of solar cells and modules exported from the country during the last five years, country-wise

*Till FY 2020-21, Solar Cells, whether or not assembled in modules were classified under HS Code 85414011.

In FY 2021-22, the HS Code 85414011 was retained for Solar PV Cells and new HS Code 85414012 was brought in for Solar PV Modules.

Subsequently, from FY 2022-23, the Solar PV Cells and Solar PV Modules (other than those exclusively used with ITA-1 items) are put under HS Codes 85414200 and 85414300 respectively.

This information has been given by the Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha on February 6, 2023.