New Delhi, Nov. 10 -- India is looking to export solar cells as its rapidly rising manufacturing capacity of the product, which converts sunlight into electricity and assembled into solar panels, is set to far outstrip domestic demand. In a first, the government is now in talks with several countries to find buyers for these cells, Union minister for new and renewable energy Pralhad Joshi told Mint in an interview.

This optimism comes even as India's dependence on China for cells' key inputs remains a challenge to scaling up production.

India already exports solar panels, or modules, but steep US tariffs have disrupted shipments to its largest overseas market, forcing manufacturers to look for buyers elsewhere. Export of solar cells wil...