Lok Sabha Question No. 391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-05
Subject: Import of Solar Cells
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 391 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  FEBRUARY,2018

## IMPORT OF SOLAR CELLS

## 391. SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा ͨणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  quantity  and  value  of  solar  cells/photovoltaic  cells  and  other  photocells imported from China during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether India does not have enough manufacturing capacity currently for solar cells and modules to meet the full demand;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  minimize  import  of  solar cells/photovoltaic cells and other photocells from China?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): The  details  of  quantity  and  value  of  imports  of  solar  cells/photovoltaic  cells  and other photocells imported from China during the last three years and the current year is as under:

|                        | 85414011 (solar cells/ photovoltaic cells)   | 85414011 (solar cells/ photovoltaic cells)   | 85414019 (other photocells)   | 85414019 (other photocells)   |
|------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Years                  | Quantity (Lakh Nos.)                         | Value (US$ Million)                          | Quantity (Lakh Nos.)          | Value (US$ Million)           |
| 2014-15                | 1135.62                                      | 603.34                                       | 31.16                         | 43.39                         |
| 2015-16                | 1630.24                                      | 1960.26                                      | 44.64                         | 49.96                         |
| 2016-17                | 2810.61                                      | 2817.34                                      | 97.68                         | 86.63                         |
| 2017-18 (Apr-Oct, 17)* | 2251.3                                       | 1869.56                                      | 43.85                         | 46.87                         |

Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata (* Provisional)

(b), (c) & (d): In order to reduce India's dependence on imports, Solar PV manufacturing in the country is being promoted by the Government of India through Special Incentive Package Scheme  (SIPS)/  Modified  Special  Incentive  Package  Scheme  (M-SIPS)  of  Ministry  of Electronics and Information Technology. The scheme provides for mainly:

- i. 20-25% subsidy for  investments  in  capital  expenditure  for  setting  up  of  electronic manufacturing facility.
- ii. Reimbursement of Countervailing Duty (CVD)/ Excise Duty for capital equipment for the units outside Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The  incentives  are  available  for  several  categories  of  electronic  products  and  product components  including  Solar  Photovoltaic  (SPV)  (Polysilicon,  Ingots  and/  or  Wafers,  Cells, Modules/Panels).  Units  across  the  value  chain  starting  from  raw  materials  to  assembly, testing, and packaging of these product categories are included.

In  addition,  the  solar  power  projects  being  implemented  by  the  Central  Public  Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and those rooftop solar projects implemented with central financial assistance are mandated to source their requirement from domestic sources.

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