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MNRE Data Shows India’s Solar Module Imports Skyrocketed Before ALMM Regime Photograph: (Saur Energy)
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has now furnished details of the total imports of solar equipment, primarily solar modules in the four years till 2024-25. The details furnished by the government entails details of the impport dependency of the green sector and the largest exports of solar modules to India.
The data shows a sharp rebound in imports in 2023-24 after a dip in 2022-23, reflecting fluctuations in domestic demand and policy adjustments related to duties and domestic manufacturing requirements. Noteworthy, the ministry reinstated the original spirits of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar modules from April 1, 2024. This ensured most of the Indian solar project including government projects and government sponsered projects could no longer use imported solar modules. The impact of the notification could easily be seen during import data.
Data from the MNRE revealed that an year before the ALMM re-introduction (a non-tariff barrier) and months before the rule coming into effect, there was a large jump in the imports of cheaper foreing solar modules to by the Indian solar companies to reduce their input cost and manage their balance sheet. 
As per the details furnished by the government, India imported solar photovoltaic (PV) modules worth about $10.81 billion between 2021-22 and 2024-25, with China accounting for the overwhelming majority of shipments, according to data presented in Parliament.
Responding to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power Shripad Yesso Naik said solar power plants themselves are not imported, but key equipment such as PV modules used to build the projects can be sourced from overseas.
“Solar power plants, as such, are not imported. However, equipment used for setting up solar power plants can be imported into the country.  Solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules constitute the highest percentage of cost, among the various inputs that go into setting up of solar power plants,” the minister said. 
Citing data from the Export-Import Data Bank of the Department of Commerce, the minister said India imported solar PV modules worth $3.36 billion in 2021-22, $943.5 million in 2022-23, $4.35 billion in 2023-24, and $2.15 billion in 2024-25. Combined, imports during the four-year period stood at $10.81 billion.
China remained the dominant supplier, with shipments worth about $8.50 billion during the period. Vietnam emerged as the second-largest source at $1.31 billion, followed by Hong Kong at about $525.5 million. Smaller volumes were imported from Malaysia, Singapore and other countries.
Naik said solar PV modules account for the largest share of the cost components required for setting up solar power plants. The government has been pushing domestic solar manufacturing through measures such as the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and basic customs duty on imported modules, even as developers continue to rely on imports to meet the country’s rapidly growing solar installation targets.
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