Parliament Question: Duty on Export of Solar Modules

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6166 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 DUTY ON EXPORT OF SOLAR MODULES 6166. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) whether United States has imposed countervailing duty of 126 per cent on Indian solar module exports during the last week of February, 2026 and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of measures taken by the Government to counter the recent US countervailing duty of Indian solar module exports; (c) whether Government proposes to announce support measures including captive funds for domestic solar module manufacturers in view of the recent imposition of tariffs by US; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK) (a) Yes. In the last week of February, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary affirmative determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (solar cells), from India, Indonesia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos). A preliminary subsidy rate of 125.87% has been determined for India. (b) to (d) The domestic demand for solar PV cells and modules in India remains strong, encouraging the companies, to actively participate in the domestic market. At present, no specific additional support measures, including creation of captive funds, have been announced exclusively in response to the said development. However, the Government is facilitating companies engaged in solar PV manufacturing and exports through various measures, inter alia those mentioned at Annexure-I. These efforts are contributing to the overall development of domestic solar PV manufacturing, including promoting exports of solar PV cells and modules. As per the export– import databank of the Department of Commerce, India exported solar PV cells and modules worth around USD 885 million during April 2024 to December 2024, which increased to approximately USD 994 million during April 2025 to December 2025. *****Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply of parts (b) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6166 for 01.04.2026 regarding ‘Duty on Export of Solar Modules’ (i) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: The Government of India is implementing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, for achieving domestic manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in High Efficiency Solar PV modules, with an outlay of Rs. 24,000 crore. Under the Scheme, Letters of Award have been issued for setting up of 48,337 MW of fully/ partially integrated solar PV module manufacturing units. (ii) Domestic Content Requirement (DCR): Under some of the current schemes of the MNRE, namely CPSU Scheme Phase-II, PM-KUSUM Components B & C, and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, wherein government subsidy is given, it has been mandated to source solar PV cells and modules from domestic sources. (iii) Imposition of Basic Customs Duty on import of solar PV cells and modules: The Government has imposed Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on import of solar PV cells and solar PV modules. (iv) Exemption of Custom Duty on capital goods for manufacture of Solar Cells and Modules: The Government has exempted Basic Customs Duty on import of goods specified in List 18 of Notification No. 45/2025-Customs dated 24th October 2025, for the manufacturer of solar PV cells and modules. (v) Bilateral engagement: In addition to export efforts undertaken by individual companies, the issue of solar supply chains, including exploring the possibility of export of solar PV cells and modules from India, is also discussed at the Government level during bilateral engagements with partner countries/regions, including in the context of free trade discussions.