The Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises is planning to set up a unit for manufacturing solar silicon cells in the country.
For the purpose, the ministry plans to invest $480 million (approx Rs 2,985.6 crore). The ministry will seek financial support from the government to partly finance Phase-I of the manufacturing unit. Phase-I of the project is proposed to be built by state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals.
The project will be the first unit for manufacturing solar silicon cells in the country. Every solar panel which is made in India is assembled, while all the material comes from China, Europe and some other countries.
At present, some private Indian companies assemble silicon cells after importing key components, mainly from China.