- Under the KUSUM scheme, it has been seen some manufacturers are importing semi –processed solar PV cells to convert them into final PV cells
- The order will hold for manufacturing -linked-Power Purchase Agreement initiative by Solar Energy Corporation of India
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has clarified that if imported diffused silicon wafer is used as raw material for the manufacture of solar PV cells in India, such cells cannot be categorised as domestically manufactured solar PV cells for schemes under the Ministry.
Undiffused silicon wafer
According to the new notification, a solar PV cell will be considered to be domestically manufactured only if it has been manufactured in India, using undiffused silicon wafer( commonly referred to as Black Wafer). The order says that for schemes and programmes implemented by MNRE, it is mandatory to use domestically manufactured solar PV cells and domestically manufactured solar PV modules.
It also states the same criteria holds for manufacturing -linked-Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) initiative by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The solar PV cell manufacturing facility set-up under SECI’s manufacturing-linked-PPA initiative should manufacture solar PV cells from undiffused wafers.
Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan( KUSUM ) scheme of the MNRE requires the compulsory use of domestically manufactured solar PV cells. It has been seen that some manufacturers are importing semi –processed solar PV cells called blue wafer. These manufacturers use these imported products to make final Solar PV cells which adds little value to the product.
