**Policy Summary: Photovoltaic (PV) Module Testing and Domestic Solar Manufacturing Support**
This document summarizes key aspects of India's initiatives in solar energy, focusing on photovoltaic (PV) module testing, support for domestic manufacturing, capacity increases, and workforce development.
The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) operates a PV Module Testing and Calibration Lab with the objective of conducting tests on PV modules and issuing reports compliant with Indian and international standards (IS/IEC). NISE provides technical support for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which aims to establish manufacturing capacities for high-efficiency solar PV modules. This support includes commissioning checks, throughput assessments at manufacturing facilities, and module efficiency/temperature coefficient testing per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards.
India's installed solar capacity has increased from 2.82 GW as of March 31, 2014, to 119.02 GW as of July 31, 2025. The installed solar PV module manufacturing capacity has risen from approximately 2.3 GW in 2014 to around 91.6 GW as of July 31, 2025, according to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).
NISE's Suryamitra Skill Development Programme has trained 63,713 Suryamitra technicians to date, contributing to workforce development in the solar energy sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for all matters relating to new and renewable energy.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
National Institute of Solar Energy NISE: An autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, dedicated to research, development, testing, and certification of solar energy technologies.
Productive Linked Incentive PLI scheme: A government scheme to boost domestic manufacturing of solar PV modules.
Bureau of Indian Standards BIS: The National Standards Body of India responsible for standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.
SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK: The Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power.
Suryamitra Skill Development Programme: A training program to develop skilled technicians for the solar energy sector.
Approved List of Models manufacturers ALMM: A list of approved manufacturers of solar PV modules.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4446
ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE TESTING AND CALIBRATION LAB
4446. SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASAs
DR. SANJAY JAISWAL
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:
(a) the details of objectives and capabilities of the new PV Module Testing and Calibration
Lab at National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE);
(b) the manner in which the NISE support domestic solar manufacturing under the Productive
Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme through Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-compliant testing
and certification of emerging solar technologies;
(c) the details of increase in India’s installed solar capacity and indigenous manufacturing
since 2014 along with the targets set for the year 2030; and
(d) the details of NISE’s workforce development initiatives including the number of
Suryamitras trained so far?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) The objective of the test facility at National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) is to conduct
testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules and issuing reports in accordance with various Indian and
international standards. NISE is also offering testing and calibration for various IS/IEC
standards.
(b) NISE provides technical support for qualitative and testing requirements under the
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for setting up Manufacturing Capacities for High
Efficiency Solar PV Modules in the country. The role of NISE also includes conducting
commissioning checks and throughput assessment at the manufacturing facilities, as well as
testing of module efficiency and temperature coefficient as per relevant BIS standards.
(c) As on 31.03.2014, the installed solar capacity of the country was ~2.82 GW, which has
increased to ~119.02 GW as on 31.07.2025.
The installed solar PV module manufacturing capacity in the country in 2014 was around 2.3
GW which has increased to around 91.6 GW as of 31.07.2025, as per the Approved List of
Models & manufacturers (ALMM).
(d) NISE through the Suryamitra Skill Development Programme has so far trained 63,713 nos.
of Suryamitra technicians.
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