Lok Sabha Question No. 440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Solar Cells and Solar Channels from China
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 440

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

## SOLAR CELLS AND SOLAR CHANNELS FROM CHINA

## 440. SHRI  ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether China made solar cells and solar channels are much cheaper than those made in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether Indian industry  favours Chinese solar  goods on the plea of being cheaper and high quality, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether  solar  panel  and  cells  manufacturing  industries  in  the  country  have  been  adversely affected and many of them have reportedly closed down their production, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  industry  has  asked  the  Government  to  put  an  anti-dumping  duty  on  cells  and panels imported from various countries including China;
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken or being taken by the Government to save the domestic solar cells and channels manufacturers;
- (g) the  details  of  subsidy/incentives  currently  being  given  by  the  Government  to  domestic manufacturers; and
- (h) the percentage of solar energy equipments and parts being imported in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  POWER,  COAL  &  NEW  AND  RENEWABLE ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)&(b): Price of solar cells and panels keeps changing. Several types of solar cells/panels with varying quality and specifications are available from China and therefore price of panels is not fixed at one level.
- (c): Industry  makes the choice based on commercial considerations. In India, solar goods are being imported  from  various  countries  including  China.    Government  is  also  encouraging  domestic manufacturing.
- (d) : Indian solar industry, particularly Cell manufacturers have been under stress due to fall in in the  international  prices.  However,  the  manufacturing  capacity  for  solar  cells  and  modules  has  not reduced. But rather increased in last one year.
- (e): Some manufacturers have filed a petition for imposition of anti-dumping duty which being a quasi-judicial function, is being dealt independently by the concerned authorities.
- (f)&(g): In order to boost indigenous production, the Government has taken the following steps:
- i) The Government is implementing schemes where provision for Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) for solar cells and modules have been kept to boost domestic manufacturing.
- ii) There is provision for concessional customs duty and excise duty exemptions on input    raw materials required for manufacturing of cells and modules.
- iii) The Government provides capital subsidy for setting up of manufacturing units for solar cells and modules and the entire value chain under Modified Special Incentives Package Scheme (M-SIPS) programme.
- (h): The imported contents in the solar equipment keeps changing from time to time. In the year 2014-15,  the  value  of  import  of  solar  cells/photovoltaic  cells  (whether  or  not  assembled)  in module/panel  was  Rs.  5051.78  crore  as  given  in  Export  Import  Data  Bank  of  Department  of Commerce, Govt. of India.

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