From solar cells in 2026 to ingots and wafers in 2028, India’s localisation push signals a decisive shift in its clean energy supply chain.
India will require clean energy companies to use only domestically produced solar ingots and wafers from June 2028, the Ministry of Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
According to a Reuters report, the measure is intended to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and strengthen the country’s solar manufacturing supply chain. The timeline set by the government provides companies with two years to prepare for the solar cell requirement and four years for ingots and wafers.
The directive follows earlier government rules mandating locally assembled solar panels in state-run projects, though key components such as cells, wafers, ingots and polysilicon could still be imported.
India currently relies almost entirely on China for these inputs. In a related move, the government has already set June 2026 as the deadline for the compulsory use of domestically made solar cells. India’s manufacturing capacity for ingots and wafers, at present, stands at around 2 gigawatts.
To meet future demand, several companies, including Waaree Energies, Tata Power and Indosol Solar, have announced plans to invest billions of rupees in expanding renewable energy manufacturing facilities. These investments align with India’s broader target of doubling non-fossil fuel-based power capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030.
The policy shift reflects the government’s intention to build a fully integrated domestic solar industry, covering the entire production chain from raw materials to finished panels.
Officials argue that reducing reliance on imports will not only support local industry but also enhance energy security as India accelerates its clean energy transition.
Industry observers note that while the mandate could stimulate domestic manufacturing, it will require significant scaling up of production capacity and investment in technology to meet demand.
