India Targets 2028 for Swadeshi Solar Cells

Context: Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy announced that India aims to build a fully indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem by 2028, covering modules, cells, wafers, and ingots.

About India Targets 2028 for Swadeshi Solar Cells:

• What it is?

• A national plan to achieve end-to-end domestic manufacturing of solar modules, cells, wafers, and ingots by 2028. Supported by MNRE, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, GST cuts, and policy reforms to boost domestic value chain.

• A national plan to achieve end-to-end domestic manufacturing of solar modules, cells, wafers, and ingots by 2028.

• Supported by MNRE, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, GST cuts, and policy reforms to boost domestic value chain.

• Objectives:

• Reduce Import Dependence: Minimise reliance on Chinese solar components, ensuring energy security. Make in India Push: Position India as a global solar manufacturing hub. Job Creation: Generate direct & indirect employment in manufacturing and supply chains. Attract Investment: Leverage Rs 24,000 crore PLI scheme and attract FDI in renewables.

• Reduce Import Dependence: Minimise reliance on Chinese solar components, ensuring energy security.

• Make in India Push: Position India as a global solar manufacturing hub.

• Job Creation: Generate direct & indirect employment in manufacturing and supply chains.

• Attract Investment: Leverage Rs 24,000 crore PLI scheme and attract FDI in renewables.

• Key Features:

• 100 GW Solar Module Capacity: Already achieved, with expansion to upstream components. PLI Scheme Impact: Rs 50,000 crore investment, 12,600+ direct jobs created. Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: 2 million households benefitted, 50% with zero bills. PM-KUSUM Scheme: 1.6 million solar pumps installed/solarised → saving 1.3 billion litres diesel annually. Policy Support: GST cut (12% → 5%), single-window clearances, and fast-track land allotment to ease project execution.

• 100 GW Solar Module Capacity: Already achieved, with expansion to upstream components.

• PLI Scheme Impact: Rs 50,000 crore investment, 12,600+ direct jobs created.

• Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: 2 million households benefitted, 50% with zero bills.

• PM-KUSUM Scheme: 1.6 million solar pumps installed/solarised → saving 1.3 billion litres diesel annually.

• Policy Support: GST cut (12% → 5%), single-window clearances, and fast-track land allotment to ease project execution.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS-III (Economy): Infrastructure – Energy, Investment Models, Manufacturing Policy – PLI scheme & Atmanirbhar Bharat.

• GS-III (Environment): Conservation, Pollution & Degradation – solar energy role in reducing carbon emissions.

• GS-II (Governance): Government Policies & Interventions – MNRE schemes (PM-KUSUM, Surya Ghar).