New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- A 126% US duty on India-made solar cells sounds dramatic. But is it really a body blow for Indian manufacturers? Not quite. At least, that's what they are saying.

India's top exporter, Waaree Energies Ltd., clarified that its US orderbook remains protected. Why? Because the new duty applies to where the cells are made, not where modules are assembled. Waaree Energies sources cells from lower-tariff geographies and assembles modules in India before shipping them to the US. Smart supply-chain play.

Others like Emmvee, Premier Energies and Vikram Solar are largely focused on the domestic market, insulating them from American trade tremors.

Yet, markets reacted nervously. Waaree Energies fell over 10%, and peers slid ...