The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) is advocating for safeguard duties on imports of polysilicon, ingot, and wafers, concessional tax rates, capital subsidies, and capacity-building funds.
The association has requested the Indian government to include solar cells and modules in the proposed free trade agreement between India and the US, eliminating duties on these products.
In a representation to the Ministry of Renewable Energy, the association asked for timelines and a roadmap for duty protection from imported polysilicon, ingot, and wafer, as well as mandating their use in downstream cell and module manufacturing.
ISMA also called for a fresh capital subsidy program for new wafer-ingot and polysilicon capacities, priority lending at lower interest rates, dedicated funds for domestic capacity creation, accelerated depreciation for plant and machinery, and concessional corporate tax rates.
ISMA emphasized the need to shift focus towards capital and energy-intensive upstream manufacturing, which is currently dependent on China with heavy dumping and price manipulation.
“The need of the hour is to shift focus towards capital- and energy-intensive upstream manufacturing, which is currently dependent on China with heavy dumping and price manipulation,” ISMA said in the presentation to the MNRE.
“India’s solar manufacturing industry stands at the threshold of becoming a global leader. With the right trade architecture in place, supported by disciplined policy continuity and robust safeguards, the proposed bilateral trade agreement with the United States could mark a defining moment in India’s industrial and clean energy journey,” ISMA said.
