Indian module manufacturer Tata Solar is to expand its module manufacturing facility in Bangalore from 125MW to 200MW citing potential new anti-dumping duties as one reason behind its decision.
The government announced a raft of new duties on US, Chinese and Malaysian solar products from US$0.11/W to US$0.81/W. These will now be referred to the Ministry of Finance for approval.
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Tata said the expansion was due to “significant increase in demand that the company has seen for its solar modules, as well as the expected increase in demand due to supportive policy steps announced recently by the government of India such as domestic content requirement (DCR) and anti-dumping duties”.
Developers do not share the same enthusiasm for the trade action on overseas modules fearing that they could drive up prices and make some projects unviable.
Under the country’s DCR, half of the solar capacity tendered for must include locally produced materials and labour.
Tata Power Solar CEO Ajay Goel told the Economic Times of India that company needed more support from the industry.
“We need a level playing field where we are not at the mercy of Chinese companies for meeting the country's solar gear,” he said.
