India's Solar Sector at Tipping Point: Experts Urge Full Value Chain & Localization

• India's solar manufacturing is at a critical inflection point, with experts calling for a complete value chain, stronger ancillary manufacturing, and reduced dependence on China.
• Despite 144 GW module capacity, focus shifts to completing the entire solar value chain, with cell production expected to cross 50-60 GW next year and wafer/ingot capacities by 2028.
• Sustainability, not just scale, is a key challenge for ancillary manufacturers, requiring focused government support to ensure long-term viability.
• Investments in transmission, distribution, and energy storage, particularly batteries, are crucial to complement India's solar expansion and manage peak demand.
• Experts warn against continued dependence on China, advocating for incentives tied to mandatory localization of high-end engineering equipment and indigenous capability building.