India adds 11.3 GW solar capacity in 1H 2024; solar imports up 338%

09 Oct 2024 CW Team

India witnessed significant growth in its solar module and cell manufacturing sectors during the first half of 2024, driven by increasing demand and upcoming solar projects. The *State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 1H 2024* report stated that the country added 11.3 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and 2 GW of solar cell capacity during this period. It also highlighted that India’s solar project pipeline for 2024-2026 stood at 132.7 GW, largely supported by the reimplementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) in April 2024.

By June 2024, the nation’s cumulative solar module manufacturing capacity had reached 77.2 GW, while solar cell capacity stood at 7.6 GW. Of the module capacity, 51 GW had received ALMM certification. The market was largely controlled by the top 10 manufacturers, who contributed 58% of the total module production and 100% of the cell production.

The report also indicated that over 57% of the installed module manufacturing capacity was designed to produce modules using M10 and G12 wafer sizes. Monocrystalline Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (mono PERC) technology dominated the production, followed by Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon), polycrystalline, and thin-film modules.

Looking ahead, India’s solar module manufacturing capacity is projected to soar to 172 GW, and solar cell capacity is expected to reach nearly 80 GW by 2026. However, Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group, cautioned that despite the capacity expansions, the slower growth of solar cell production could lead to supply constraints, potentially delaying projects and keeping prices high.

Infrastructure Energy

16 Sep 2025

Udangudi Thermal Plant’s First Unit Synced to Grid

The first 660 MW unit of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Project in Tamil Nadu has finally been synchronised with the grid, marking a long-awaited milestone for the state’s power sector. The project, being developed at a cost of Rs 13,076 crore by Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNGPCL), was originally scheduled for commissioning in 2021 but faced repeated delays due to court disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic.The synchronisation took place at 7.56 pm on Thursday, when the unit produced 42 MW during its initial trial run. Officials noted that the plant ..

Kandla Port to Expand Operations Beyond Gujarat

In a strategic shift, Kandla Port, managed by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), is preparing to expand its operations beyond Gujarat for the first time. The authority has confirmed that it is exploring opportunities to manage both public and private terminals in Maharashtra and Karnataka.Kandla Port, located in Gujarat’s Kutch district, has traditionally been one of India’s busiest ports, handling more than 150 million tonnes of cargo in the last financial year. About 60 per cent of this was petroleum, oil, and lubricants, while the remainder included timber, food grains, chemicals, and ..

Mumbai Port Seeks Nod to Reclaim Sea at Jawahar Dweep

The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) has proposed reclaiming 4.14 hectares of sea at Jawahar Dweep, also known as Butcher Island, to build additional crude oil storage facilities. The proposal, which will be placed before the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority for clearance, aims to improve turnaround times for ships handling petroleum and chemical cargo.Officials argue that the move is essential, as liquid petroleum and chemicals account for nearly 70 per cent of the port’s cargo. Currently, oil unloaded at Mumbai Port is piped to refineries in Mahul, but limited storage capacity has..