India’s Solar Energy Indigenisation: Achievements & Challenges

• India is moving towards a fully Swadeshi solar value chain, aiming for indigenous solar cell manufacturing by 2028, as announced by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy.

India’s Achievements in Solar Expansion

• Capacity Milestone: India crossed 100 GW solar capacity in 2025, boosting its global standing.
• Global Ranking: According to IRENA RE Statistics 2025, India now ranks third globally in solar energy generation.
• Clean Energy: India’s non-fossil capacity exceeded 50%, meeting COP26 goal five years ahead of schedule.
• Solar Leadership: Rajasthan hosts the world’s largest solar park, reinforcing India’s solar leadership.
• Manufacturing Push: Establishing a 2 GW ingot-wafer facility marked progress in manufacturing self-reliance.

Rationale for Solar Energy Indigenisation

• Import Resilience: China supplies 60% of solar modules and cells, posing energy security risks.
• Financial Stability: Domestic production mitigates $30 billion annual solar equipment import bill.
• Employment Impact: The PLI scheme created about 12,000 jobs, strengthening India’s skilled workforce.
• Commitments: Indigenisation aids India’s 2030 goal of 500 GW renewable energy and net-zero by 2070.
• Rising Energy Demand: Projected at 73 exajoules by 2050, necessitates solar expansion.

Bottlenecks in Solar Development

• Land Trade-offs: Solar expansion requires vast land, raising food security and environmental concerns.
• Grid Deficit: Transmission losses at 16.4% persist, with costly storage hindering integration.
• Manufacturing Gaps: Limited R&D and infrastructure constrain local production, increasing imports.
• Cost Barriers: Rooftop solar costs ₹2.2–3.5 lakh, restricting household adoption.
• Mineral Burden: Lithium, cobalt, and nickel mining impose ecological and carbon costs.
• Waste Challenge: Absence of solar recycling norms risks mounting future environmental burden.

Strategic Pathways for Reform

• Value Chain Expansion: Build polysilicon, wafer, and ingot capacity to strengthen the ecosystem.
• Storage Roadmap: Launch National Storage Policy to scale battery and hydro capacity.
• Grid Upgrades: Invest in smart grids and transmission modernisation for renewable integration.
• Global Partnerships: Leverage the International Solar Alliance for finance, technology, and cooperation.
• Technological Innovation: Promote agrivoltaics and perovskite R&D, enhancing land use and efficiency.

“Energy security is national security; self-reliance in clean energy ensures both.” – PM Modi.
India’s 2028 Swadeshi solar mission strengthens energy security, self-reliance, and climate goals by bridging infrastructure and technology gaps.

Reference: PIB

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 342

Q. With ambitious renewable targets, India faces the dilemma of import dependence vs. self-reliance. Critically analyse how building a Swadeshi solar ecosystem by 2028 can resolve this dilemma and what systemic reforms are needed. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write a brief introduction about solar energy by mentioning the facts.
• Body: Write the dilemma of import dependence vs. self-reliance, how the Swadeshi solar ecosystem resolve this dilemma and suggest systemic reforms.
• Conclusion: Emphasis on a multi-pronged approach to become a global leader in clean energy.