The Indian solar dream is being fueled to a large extent by solar imports, with majority of solar panels coming to India from Chinese companies.

Trina Solar was the single largest supplier of solar modules to India as of Q2 2017, with cumulative shipments of approximately 3 GW.

Meanwhile, Canadian Solar saw an increase in shipments during Q2 2017, and came in second to Trina in terms of cumulative modules shipped to India, according to Mercom’s Q2 2017 India Solar Market Update.

There were a total of seven suppliers with cumulative shipments greater than 1 GW up to Q2 2017. This was higher than what was seen in Q1 2017, when only four module suppliers had shipments crossing 1 GW. The increase in shipments is in line with Mercom India Research’s solar installation forecast of approximately 10 GW in 2017.

The investigation by the Directorate General of Anti-dumping & Allied Duties (DGAD) into the anti‑dumping petition – filed by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) against solar imports from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia – has created a lot of uncertainty in the market resulting in a drastic slowdown in tender activity and overall demand.

After falling by approximately 5 percent in the second quarter of 2017, for the first time in years the average selling price (ASP) for Chinese modules is now increasing in India. Chinese module ASPs had risen by almost 12 percent as of August 2017 compared to Q2 2017. That said, there are signs that module prices are softening in China as the Suniva anti-dumping case decision draws near.

It remains to be seen just how Chinese companies will respond if an anti-dumping duty is levied by India’s DGAD. Indian project developers depend on Chinese module manufacturers for cheap panels so that they can bid aggressively and win projects. Without cheap imported Chinese panels, bids will have to increase in future auctions. Making the situation even more complicated, DISCOMs in various states are demanding PPAs that match lower bids. All of this will come to a head when the anti-dumping duty recommendations  are announced by DGAD around September 22, 2017.

For the complete market share list and full report, visit: Q2 2017 India Solar Market Update

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