23 June 2025, India’s ambition to build a robust solar manufacturing ecosystem faces renewed pressure as imports of photovoltaic (PV) cells from China more than doubled in FY25, even as official curbs on imported modules took effect. According to official trade data, solar cell imports from China surged 141%, from 1.89 billion units in FY24 to 4.55 billion in FY25, tightening China’s grip on India’s clean energy supply chain.

While imports of assembled modules which face restrictions under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order dipped marginally by just 2%, from 35.98 million to 35.26 million panels, India’s dependency on Chinese solar components remains significant. The ALMM order, reinstated from April 1, 2024, limits the use of non-listed imported modules in most utility-scale and rooftop projects. However, multiple exemptions have diluted its impact.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) attributed the rise in solar cell imports partly to India’s expanding module manufacturing capacity, which increased from 38 GW in March 2024 to 91 GW by April 2025. However, domestic cell manufacturing capacity, while growing from 9 GW to 25 GW, still lags behind module demand, creating a vacuum increasingly filled by Chinese imports.

Exemptions under ALMM such as older project bids, captive installations, and green hydrogen projects have enabled continued imports. The MNRE, in a March 2025 directive, asked state agencies to enforce ALMM strictly, barring projects specifically exempted. Trade data further reveals that overall cell imports grew 88% in quantity but dropped in value by 9%, signaling sharp per-unit price declines a clear sign of continued Chinese price undercutting. China’s share in India’s cell imports jumped from 70% to 90% year-over-year.

Industry experts raise alarms over sustained price dumping. Amit Paithankar, CEO of Waaree Energies, noted that while ALMM has boosted module manufacturing, a similar “capacity wave” is expected once ALMM for solar cells is implemented, slated for June 1, 2026. “There’s always a time shift. ALMM for modules triggered a manufacturing surge. With cells, the same will happen,” he said.

Still, the industry’s progress may be undermined by global oversupply and predatory pricing. Sujoy Ghosh, MD of First Solar India, highlighted the anti-dumping investigation underway by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) on Chinese solar cell imports. He emphasized that China’s persistent use of anti-competitive practices, both directly and via Southeast Asian BRI partners, threatens India’s self-reliance in clean energy tech.