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Government Mandates Use of Domestic Solar Wafers and Ingots from June 2028

In a significant push to strengthen India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem, the government has mandated the use of locally produced solar wafers and ingots in large renewable energy projects and government-backed schemes starting June 2028.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework by introducing a new category—List-III—covering solar ingots and wafers. This builds on existing lists that already apply to domestically manufactured modules and, from June 2026, solar cells. The policy aims to reduce reliance on imports, particularly from China, for upstream components in the solar value chain.

Ingots form the base material for wafers, which are then used to manufacture solar cells and modules. By extending the ALMM mandate to these early-stage components, the government is taking a step toward developing a fully integrated domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi stated that the move will boost local production, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance overall quality standards. It also aligns with India’s broader clean energy goals, including achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the initiative but highlighted the need for strong policy support. The National Solar Energy Federation of India has emphasized the importance of financial mechanisms such as viability gap funding (VGF) to support capital-intensive upstream manufacturing and equipment development.

Some industry leaders have also pointed out that scaling domestic capacity will require careful planning. While the mandate presents a major opportunity to reduce import dependence and drive innovation, ensuring sufficient manufacturing readiness will be critical to avoid supply disruptions.

Currently, India has around 2 GW of wafer and ingot manufacturing capacity, with the global supply chain largely dominated by China. However, several domestic companies have already announced plans to enter this segment, signaling growing momentum toward building a self-reliant solar manufacturing base.

"The government's decision to bring ingots and wafers under the ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) framework is a structurally sound move, and one that the industry has long awaited. But the numbers demand deep introspection — India today has barely 5.3 GW of wafer manufacturing capacity against a module capacity exceeding 120 GW, a gap of over 22 times. The 2028 deadline is achievable, but only if announced investments across the sector translate into commissioned capacity on schedule — and that requires proactive government support on technology transfer, equipment sourcing, and workforce development. A policy mandate without a parallel execution roadmap risks repeating the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) experience, where India commissioned only 31 GW against a target of 65 GW. The intent is right; now the focus must shift from policy to delivery." - Amod Anand, CoFounder & Director, Loom Solar