Mumbai, Nov. 10 -- India's market for solar module components is forecast to more than double to US$7.8 bn by March 2028, from about US$3.6 bn in September 2026, according to a study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). The expansion is linked to rising domestic solar manufacturing and demand for locally produced inputs.

India's solar module manufacturing capacity reached 228.5 GW in September 2026, creating a larger market for ancillary suppliers. These include solar glass, aluminium frames, copper ribbons, encapsulant sheets, backsheets and junction boxes, collectively referred to as the bill of materials. Domestic capacity across these components ranged from 20 GW for solar glass to 153 GW for junction boxes.

CEEW estimated that planned additions could enable manufacturers of aluminium frames, copper ribbons and encapsulants to meet annual module demand of about 67 GW by March 2027, provided projects are commissioned on schedule. Solar glass capacity is forecast to meet demand by March 2028, while existing junction box capacity is already sufficient. No fresh backsheet capacity is planned amid the adoption of glass-glass modules.

Import dependence remains significant despite the expansion of domestic module production. Between FY2021 and FY2026, solar glass imports rose at an annual rate of 63 per cent, from US$129 mn to US$1.48 bn. Aluminium frame imports increased 88 per cent annually, while junction box imports grew 92 per cent. China supplied 66 per cent of India's solar glass imports and 70 per cent of aluminium frame imports in FY2026.

The study identified quality, testing infrastructure and reliable supplies as priorities for making domestic components competitive. CEEW recommended bringing all six components under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, with listings by January 2028 and implementation from January 2029. It also proposed extending the Domestic Content Requirement to the components, uniform testing standards and dedicated customs classifications to improve import tracking and enforcement.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.