
Solar Imports in CY 2020 Down by 78%, Exports Declined by 67%
In the calendar year 2020, India imported solar cells and modules worth $475.78 million (~₹34.7 billion), a 78% drop compared to CY 2019. In CY 2019, the Indian solar sector had ...

Solar Manufacturers Seek Clarity on the Production-Linked Incentive Program
The Indian government has been trying to boost the domestic manufacturing segment and make it globally competitive. In one such move, in November 2020, the government announced a production-linked incentive ...

Solar Developers, DISCOM Spar Over CUF to be Considered for Safeguard Duty Reimbursement
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has said that if the generators revised the capacity utilization factor (CUF) as per the provisions of the power purchase agreement (PPA), then the ...

2020 A Look Back: Developments that Shaped the Solar Sector
2020 took off with high expectations, with Mercom projecting over 8 GW in solar installations for the year right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After the lockdown in March, development ...

SECI’s Disbursement to Solar and Wind Developers Dips Slightly to ₹3.7 Billion in October
The Solar energy Corporation of India (SECI) paid nearly ₹3.7 billion (~$50.2 million) to solar and wind developers in October 2020, which amounted to 48.9% of the total amount disbursed ...

Should Solar Generators Worry About SECI Amid Rising Dues from DISCOMs?
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has started reimbursing renewable developers' claims falling under the 'change in law' clause. These reimbursements have been filed for the additional costs incurred by ...

Is there a Case for Basic Customs Duty on Solar Inverters?
To combat the impact of COVID-19, the government has announced various measures, and chief of them was the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India. One of the main initiatives under this ...

SECI Paid ₹4.6 Billion to Solar and Wind Developers in August 2020
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) paid nearly ₹4.6 billion (~$62.4 million) to solar and wind developers in August 2020, which amounted to almost 84% of the total amount ...

Avaada Clean Energy to be Compensated for Impact of Safeguard Duty on a 5 MW Project
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) directed Kanpur’s Ordnance Factory Board (OFC) to pay ₹36 million (~$485,044) to Avaada Clean Energy Private Limited as compensation for the losses incurred due ...

India Installs Just 205 MW of Solar Capacity in Q2 2020
India added only 205 MW of solar capacity in the second quarter of 2020 (Q2 2020), an 81% decline from the previous quarter's 1,090 MW of additions. The findings were ...

Long-Term Basic Customs Duty Crucial for India’s Solar Sector: Roundtable
Mercom India held a webinar on August 4, 2020, to discuss the pressing issues and opportunities in the Indian renewable energy sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The roundtable discussed the ...

India’s Solar Imports Plunged by 83% in Q2 2020
Indian solar imports declined by 83% in the second quarter (Q2) of the calendar year (CY) 2020, totaling $69 million (₹5.15 billion) as compared to $399 million (₹29.7 billion) during ...

Experts from IREDA, ReNew Power, Fimer, RenewSys to Analyze Shifts in the Solar Industry
Mercom India will host another webinar session on August 4, 2020, to help the solar industry get a clearer perspective on the most pressing issues and opportunities in the Indian ...

India Extends Imposition of Safeguard Duty on Solar Imports by Another Year
The Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has issued a notification imposing safeguard duty (SGD) on the import of solar cells and modules to India for another ...

India Set to Extend Levy of Safeguard Duty on Solar Imports by Another Year
The Director-General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended the extension of the safeguard duty (SGD) on the import of solar cells and modules to India for another year starting July ...

Solar Industry Asks IREDA to Pay GST and Safeguard Duty Receivables at 10.41%
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the National Solar Federation of India (NSEFI) has asked SECI and IREDA’s policies on loan and interest ...

Highlights from DGTR Hearing on Continued Imposition of Safeguard Duty on Solar Imports
The Director-General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) conducted an oral hearing where domestic and international industry representatives put forth their representations about the continued imposition of safeguard duty (SGD) on the ...

Hearing on Continued Imposition of Safeguard Duty on Solar Imports Rescheduled
The Director-General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has rescheduled the oral hearing to discuss the continued imposition of safeguard duty (SGD) on the import of solar cells and modules to India ...

ReNew Power to be Compensated for Impact of Safeguard Duty on its 250 MW Solar Project
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has ruled that ReNew Solar Power Private Limited is eligible for claiming compensation for the additional expenses incurred due to the imposition of safeguard ...

ACME Solar to be Reimbursed for Bonds Furnished Against Safeguard Duty Cost
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) issued an order declaring that ACME Chittorgarh Solar Energy Private Limited (ACSEPL) was eligible for claiming compensation for additional expenses incurred due to the ...

India’s Solar Imports Nosedive in Q1 2020 Amid Lockdown Due to COVID-19
India’s solar imports fell by 77% year-over-year (YoY) in the first quarter (Q1) of the calendar year (CY) 2020 with $151 million (~₹10.8 billion) compared to $650 million (₹45.8 billion) ...

Impact of Basic Customs Duty on Solar Manufacturers Located in India’s SEZs
The Indian government has introduced several protectionist policies in the recent past to boost domestic manufacturing in the solar sector. Some of these measures include the anti-dumping duty, safeguard duty, ...

Hearing on Continued Levy of Safeguard Duty on Solar Imports to be Held on June 11, 2020
The Director-General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) will hold an oral hearing on June 11, 2020, to discuss the continued imposition of safeguard duty (SGD) on the import of solar cells ...

Solar Developers Urge Karnataka to Fast Track Safeguard Duty Reimbursements
The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has written a letter to BS Yeddyurappa, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, asking him to direct the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) ...

Pay GST, Safeguard Duty Compensation to Solar Developers in 60 Days: MNRE to SECI and NTPC
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a circular stating that Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Safeguard Duty (SGD) compensation to solar project developers should be ...