1 week ago
India's Solar Cell Capacity Set to Reach 100 GW
India currently makes about 32 gigawatts of solar cells.
It makes more than 200 gigawatts of solar panels, which are built using cells.
Some projects now need to use cells made in India.
This has created a temporary shortage of suitable domestic cells.
Industry leaders say the shortage should ease as more factories begin operating.
They expect total cell-making capacity to reach about 100 gigawatts by December 2027.
Avaada Group plans to expand its own cell capacity to 6 gigawatts.
The company also plans to sell half-cut cells to Indian solar-panel makers.
India's solar cell manufacturing capacity is projected to reach about 100 GW by December 2027.
Current domestic solar cell capacity stands at approximately 32 GW, while module capacity exceeds 200 GW.
Industry officials describe the domestic cell shortage as a temporary mismatch linked to local-content requirements.
The government-approved ALMM List-II has increased demand for domestically manufactured cells in some projects.
Avaada Group expects its cell-manufacturing capacity to reach 6 GW and plans to supply half-cut cells.
- Who
- Indian solar manufacturers and industry officials, including Vineet Mittal of Avaada Group.
- What
- Domestic solar cell manufacturing capacity is projected to grow from about 32 GW to 100 GW by December 2027.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The target is December 2027; the current supply-demand mismatch followed the implementation of ALMM List-II.
- Why
- Manufacturers are expanding capacity to meet local-content requirements and address a temporary shortage of domestic cells.
Industry Optimism
Shortage Concerns
Duration of the supply problem
Industry Optimism
Industry players, including Vineet Mittal, say the domestic cell shortage is a short-term, transitional challenge that will ease as capacity expands.
Shortage Concerns
Reports indicate that domestic cells are currently in short supply, particularly for rooftop and other projects subject to local-content requirements.
Meaning of the capacity gap
Industry Optimism
Mittal argues that comparing more than 200 GW of module capacity with 32 GW of cell capacity can be misleading because module plants may not operate fully and many projects do not require domestic cells.
Shortage Concerns
The large difference between module and cell capacity highlights a current supply-demand mismatch for projects that must use domestically manufactured cells.
Key facts
- Current cell capacity
- Approximately 32 GW
- Projected cell capacity
- Around 100 GW by December 2027
- Current module capacity
- More than 200 GW
- Supply issue
- A temporary mismatch in domestically manufactured solar cells
- Relevant policy
- The government-approved ALMM List-II for solar cells
- Avaada planned capacity
- 6 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity
- Planned product
- Half-cut cells for domestic module manufacturers
Quotes
Vineet Mittal
Chairman of Avaada Group
“India has approximately 32 GW of enlisted domestic solar‑cell capacity, with further capacity expected to be commissioned and enlisted during the year.”
thehansindia.com








