Archive · 28 Sep 2026
India’s Solar Module Capacity Surges, Outpacing Cell Manufacturing Growth
India built much more solar panel-making capacity than solar cell-making capacity in the first half of 2026.
It added 50.6 gigawatts of module capacity but only 9.7 gigawatts of cell capacity.
By June, India could make 261.7 gigawatts of modules and 36.6 gigawatts of cells.
Solar cells are an important part used to make modules.
Because cell production was smaller, India imported more solar products.
Imports rose 18% compared with the same period in 2025.
Gujarat was the biggest manufacturing center.
The United States bought most of India’s solar exports.
The report said this shows India’s solar industry is growing quickly but has an uneven supply chain.
India added 50.6 GW of solar module capacity and 9.7 GW of cell capacity during January-June 2026.
By June, cumulative module capacity reached 261.7 GW, compared with 36.6 GW for solar cells.
Solar cell and module imports rose 18% year-on-year, with cells accounting for 81% of imports.
Gujarat held nearly 45% of module capacity and about 37% of cell manufacturing capacity.
The United States received 92% of India’s solar exports during the first half of 2026.
- Who
- India’s solar manufacturing industry, as assessed in Mercom India’s report.
- What
- India added substantially more solar module manufacturing capacity than solar cell capacity in the first half of 2026.
- When
- January through June 2026.
- Where
- India, with Gujarat as the leading manufacturing state.
- Why
- Rapid module expansion outpaced domestic cell production, increasing reliance on imported solar cells.
- Module capacity added
- 50.6 GW during January-June 2026
- Cell capacity added
- 9.7 GW during January-June 2026
- Cumulative module capacity
- 261.7 GW by the end of June 2026
- Cumulative cell capacity
- 36.6 GW by the end of June 2026
- Import growth
- Solar cell and module imports increased 18% from the first half of 2025
- Import composition
- Solar cells accounted for 81% of imports, while modules accounted for 19%
- Export destination
- The United States accounted for 92% of India’s solar exports in the first half of 2026