2 weeks ago

India on Track for Record 50 GW Solar Capacity

India on Track for Record 50 GW Solar Capacity
India on track for record 50 GW solar capacity in 2026 amid booster for domestic supply chain · thehansindia.com

India is building a lot of solar power, which turns sunlight into electricity.

In the first half of 2026, it added enough solar panels to make 34 gigawatts of power.

That is 38 percent more than in the same time last year.

For the whole year, experts think India will add over 50 gigawatts, more than ever before.

Part of the reason is a new rule called ALMM-II that pushes companies to use parts made in India.

But Indian factories can make the outer part of solar panels, called modules, faster than the inner part, called cells.

So there is not enough of one important part, and prices are going up.

India is also buying fewer parts directly from China and more from places like Indonesia.

Experts say prices should calm down by 2029 as more factories open.

It will take time, but the country is setting a new record.

Key facts

H1 2026 solar capacity added
34 GWdc
Year-over-year growth
38 percent
Forecast 2026 full-year additions
Over 50 GWdc
Previous annual record
49 GWdc (2025)
Cell imports (first 5 months of 2026)
20 GW
Wafer imports (first 5 months of 2026)
5 GW, up 86 percent year-on-year
Inter-state transmission charge waiver
Cut from 75% to 50% for projects from July 2026
Waiver phase-out
Fully phased out after July 2028

Quotes

Mathew Thomas

Research Analyst, Wood Mackenzie

“"Prices are expected to stabilise through 2029 as additional cell capacity comes online, but the transition will require policy consistency and timely execution by manufacturers."”
thehansindia.com
“"India's ALMM‑II mandate is a bold step toward building a fully integrated domestic solar supply chain, but cell manufacturing capacity has simply not kept pace with modules."”
thehansindia.com

Sources

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