India Targets Swadeshi Solar Cells by 2028, to Enhance Domestic Capability in Wafers and Ingots: Joshi
India aims to establish a fully indigenous solar value chain, with indigenous cell manufacturing by 2028, advancing from modules to cells to wafers and ingots to boost self-reliance, stated MNRE Minister Pralhad Joshi. Nearly 20 lakh households have benefited under PM Surya Ghar Yojana, and the second phase of PM-KUSUM will be launched after March 2026.
September 11, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
Speaking at the State Review Meeting on Renewable Energy organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Minister said that the country is now advancing beyond modules to develop domestic capacity for wafers and ingots as well, ensuring that the entire solar manufacturing ecosystem is established within India. The Minister said that this step will not only reduce import dependence but also generate employment, boost investment, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing.
Joishi highlighted that India’s 2030 vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity is already more than halfway achieved, with the country crossing 251.5 GW of non-fossil capacity.
Nearly 20 lakh households have already benefited under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He urged states and DISCOMs to ensure strict quality compliance, finalise agreements without delay, and offer the best possible tariff credits to consumers.
On PM-KUSUM, he noted that after initial reluctance, the scheme has now gained strong momentum across states, with demand for additional allocations from Chief Ministers. He announced that the second phase of PM-KUSUM will be launched after the present phase ends in March 2026.
Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik said that PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana schemes lie at the heart of our mission to ensure energy security, sustainability, and empowerment of citizens.
“Out of the 49 lakh solar pumps allocated, over 16 lakh have already been installed or solarised. This has reduced diesel consumption by 1.3 billion litres annually, cut 40 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and saved precious foreign exchange. In PMSGY, installations are happening at the rate of 4,500 systems per day, supported by over 18,000 vendors nationwide,” stated Naik.
On the issue of free electricity, Joshi observed that benefits must be delivered in a financially sustainable way. He pointed out that nearly half the beneficiaries under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are receiving zero electricity bills, demonstrating a model that combines relief for citizens with long-term sustainability.
Joshi cautioned that capacity addition must be complemented by effective utilisation, and urged states to expedite Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), power purchase agreements (PPAs), and land allotments in a transparent manner. “Timely action is the backbone of this system. If we keep delaying procurement on the expectation that tariffs will fall further, we are missing the bigger picture,” the Minister said.
MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that India’s green energy transition is vital for achieving net zero by 2070, with targets of 1,800 GW renewable capacity by 2047 and 5,000 GW by 2070. He highlighted successful state practices such as Maharashtra’s PM-KUSUM implementation, Gujarat’s renewable clusters, and Karnataka’s land facilitation.
Joshi also called upon wind-rich states to come up with time-bound roadmaps for new site allocation and transmission readiness. He welcomed the recent GST cut on renewable energy devices and services from 12 percent to 5 percent, which would make solar, wind, biogas, and waste-to-energy systems more affordable. He urged states to promote these technologies more actively.
On domestic manufacturing, Joshi highlighted the success of the PLI Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules with an outlay of INR 24,000 crore. He informed that India now has 100 GW of module manufacturing capacity, INR 50,000 crore investments, and over 12,600 direct jobs created under the scheme.
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