The Government of India has announced that June 2028 will mark the start of a new solar ingot and wafer policy, aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing in the solar supply chain.
Push for Domestic Manufacturing
Under the new framework introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), only locally manufactured solar ingots and wafers will be eligible for use in key domestic solar projects from June 2028 onwards.
This move expands the existing Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) system, which currently applies to solar modules and cells, further upstream to include ingots and wafers.
Reducing Import Dependence
India’s solar sector still depends heavily on imports, particularly for upstream components such as wafers and ingots. The new policy is designed to:
- Boost domestic production capacity
- Strengthen supply chain resilience
- Reduce reliance on imports
- Improve quality and traceability of solar components
Currently, India has limited manufacturing capacity for these components, making this policy a significant step towards self-reliance in solar manufacturing.
Safeguards for Ongoing Projects
The government has included “grandfathering provisions” to protect projects that are already under development. This ensures that existing projects will not be affected by the new sourcing requirements.
Supporting India’s Solar Goals
India aims to install around 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030, and strengthening domestic manufacturing is seen as essential to achieving this target.
The new ingot and wafer policy is expected to attract investments, create jobs, and build a more robust solar ecosystem in the country.
