The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is hosting a global virtual symposium ‘India PV Edge 2020’ that would focus on India’s solar manufacturing segment on  October 6, 2020.

The event will be held from 5 pm to 8.40 pm. The Ministry will organize the seminar in partnership with NITI Aayog and Invest India. You can register for the seminar here.

According to its press statement, chief executive officers of nearly 60 Indian and global corporates are expected to attend the event virtually. The symposium would include discussion sessions on several topics related to the solar manufacturing sector, including wafers and cells, modules and production equipment, as well as supply chain issues.

It will also include an Investors’ Conclave on solar manufacturing. States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh will participate in the conclave, according to the press statement. This will be followed by an Investors Roundtable, which will discuss issues related to India’s solar manufacturing sector, like affordable financing and the role of developers in building the ecosystem of cutting edge solar manufacturing.

The Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, Rajiv Kumar, and CEO of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, will join the plenary session. Amitesh Kumar, the joint secretary of MNRE, Deepak Bagla, managing director and CEO of Invest India, and Rakesh Sarwal, additional secretary of NITI Aayog, are also expected to attend it.

Boosting solar PV manufacturing has been a strategic part of the government’s post-COVID-19 ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

“This is the perfect time to bring together global, cutting-edge technology providers, equipment makers, and photovoltaic companies to present their technologies to the India industry who are drawing up their PV manufacturing plans. The companies would also have the opportunity to hear from Indian policymakers who are involved in drawing up manufacturing schemes,” said the press statement.

According to Mercom India Research, India has approximately 15.5 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and around 3.3 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity as of June 2020.

Previously, Mercom analyzed the recent thrust towards manufacturing and what it entails. In another report, the role of technology and innovation in ramping up India’s manufacturing base is evaluated. Read the full report here.