Gyanesh Chaudhary, MD and CEO of Indian module manufacturer Vikram Solar, discusses how China's solar policy overhaul impacts India's PV market, how India's domestic manufacturing industry should be supported, and what needs to change in the recent Safeguard Duty announcement.
A preliminary recommendation from India’s Directorate General of Safeguards Customs and Central Excise to impose a provisional 70% safeguard duty on solar cells imported from China and Malaysia has been branded as “ridiculous” and potentially catastrophic, by PV industry members involved in finance, project development and analysis.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans INR234.5 billion in financial support for Discoms to drive rooftop solar, The Indian government has taken remedial action on its solar import trouble at ports.
India has enough tempered solar glass capacity to cater for its own PV manufacturers despite the introduction of anti-dumping duties against certain glass imports from China, according to the Indian firm that originally petitioned for the trade measures.
India is now considering imposing safeguard duties on the import of solar cells and modules from China and certain other countries, while it continues contemplating imposing anti-dumping measures.
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill was enforced on 1 July bringing in a 5% tax on solar PV modules, but there is still uncertainty around taxes on other solar equipment, according to consultancy firm Bridge to India.
UPDATED: India solar manufacturers have filed an anti-dumping petition with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce against Chinese solar cells and modules, according to a report from consultancy firm Mercom Capital Group, although no official notification has been released so far.
With stricter quality standards due to be brought in for Indian solar tenders, including inspections for modules, cells and wafers, energy and mines minister Piyush Goyal has warned the industry about failure to keep equipment quality high.
