Solar Companies Request Duty on Chinese Wafers and Ingots

Indian Solar Industry’s Upstream Segment Faces Dumping Threat

India has successfully achieved self-sufficiency in solar module production. However, this accomplishment has exposed domestic manufacturers of polysilicon, wafers, and ingots – the essential components for modules – to dumping by Chinese-owned companies.

These input manufacturers, which make up the upstream segment of the solar industry, are now requesting safeguard duty (SGD) against Chinese supplies and policy interventions such as mandatory local sourcing, similar to those given to module manufacturing.

ISMA Advocates for New Capital Subsidy Programme

• Industry body ISMA recently informed renewable ministry officials that the dumping will affect the viability of upstream investments.
• ISMA advocated for a new capital subsidy programme, priority lending, and interest subvention, among other fiscal incentives.
• The body also requested import duty exemption on capital goods and raw material for producing polysilicon, ingots, and wafers.

With these measures, the upstream segment of the Indian solar industry aims to remain competitive and sustainable in the face of Chinese dumping.