India plans to scale its domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing capacity from 27 GW to 42 GW by June 2026, aligning it with the rapid expansion in PV module production.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) further aims to exceed 90 GW in cell capacity by Q1 FY27, following the trajectory set by module manufacturing, which currently stands at about 92 GW and is targeted to reach 125 GW by 2030. The government credits schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for the swift ramp-up of modules and intends to replicate this model for cells.

To strengthen domestic manufacturing, MNRE will release the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for cells by mid-August 2025, with compliance becoming mandatory a month later. From September 1, 2025, all new bids must source cells from the ALMM, and from June 1, 2026, both government and private projects must use domestically made cells. Long-term targets beyond 2030 will be finalised post-June 2026, as the ministry reviews evolving market conditions.