A major gap between module production and domestic cell supply is disrupting the renewable sector.
Solar manufacturers are requesting a deadline extension to 2027 because of severe domestic cell shortages.
Solar module makers face intense pressure from new domestic sourcing mandates. They seek to extend the deadline for local cell procurement beyond January. NITI Aayog received a formal representation from the Renewable Energy Manufacturers Association of India. The association said domestic module capacity far exceeds the supply of compliant cells. As a result, independent module producers currently face a heavy financial burden.
The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers enforces strict local procurement rules. This mandate started on June 1 for specific projects to boost domestic manufacturing. However, officials pushed the compliance deadline for major projects to December. This delay initially gave developers time to prepare after recent notifications.
The ministry previously denied a universal extension for the June start date. Instead, they permitted developers to request specific relief measures for their ongoing projects. The government also delayed exemptions for net-metering open-access projects until December. Therefore, standalone module manufacturers now request a broader extension until December 2027.
A massive production disparity currently plagues the domestic renewable energy sector. The industry body noted a severe shortage of available domestic components. Specifically, producible TOPCon module capacity stands at 95 GW today. Meanwhile, enlisted TOPCon cell capacity nationwide reaches a mere 15.8 GW.
Open market availability remains extremely limited for these independent manufacturers. The association highlighted that only a small share of producible capacity enters the open market. Integrated corporate groups consume most of these resources internally. Thus, the industry urgently seeks a practical bridge linked to actual component availability.
(Source: ET Energy World)
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