The Government has taken a number of steps to incentivise the manufacturing of solar cells domestically, namely:
- Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) Scheme of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology: The scheme mainly provides subsidy for capital expenditure i.e. 20% for investments in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 25% in non-SEZs. The Scheme was open for applications till 31st December, 2018. The Scheme inter-alia covers solar PV cells, solar PV modules, EVA, backsheet and solar glass.
- Domestic Content Requirement (DCR): Under some of the current schemes of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), namely CPSU Scheme Phase-II, PM-KUSUM component B and Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II, wherein government subsidy is given, it has been mandated to source solar PV cells and modules from domestic sources.
- Imposition of Basic Customs Duty on import of solar PV cells & modules: The Government has imposed Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on import of solar PV cells and modules with effect from 01.04.2022.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules: The Government of India is implementing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, for achieving domestic manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in High Efficiency Solar PV modules and solar PV cells with outlay of Rs. 24,000 crore. This Scheme has provision for Production Linked Incentive (PLI) to the selected solar PV module manufacturers for five years post commissioning, on manufacture and sale of High Efficiency Solar PV modules.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh Union Minister of Power and MNRE in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
