India's empanelled solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) has reached 100 gigawatts (GW), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced on Wednesday. This milestone represents a dramatic expansion from the sector's humble beginnings just over a decade ago.

Growth Trajectory and Government Framework

The 100 GW solar module capacity developed is fully listed under the government's ALMM, which specifies the solar PV modules and manufacturers eligible for use in government and government-assisted solar projects. The framework ensures that only quality-assured and compliant modules are used, thereby promoting reliability and performance in the country's solar energy sector.

The ALMM order was issued by the MNRE in January 2019, and the first list of approved solar PV modules was published in March 2021 with an initial empanelled capacity of around 8.2 GW. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi highlighted the remarkable growth trajectory, noting that solar PV manufacturing capacity expanded from just 2.3 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025.

Political Leadership Response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the development as "yet another milestone towards self-reliance" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He stated, "It depicts the success of India's manufacturing capabilities and our efforts towards popularising clean energy."

Minister Joshi echoed these sentiments on the same platform, emphasizing that India is building a robust, self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem. He noted that this achievement is supported by transformative initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar modules. "This achievement strengthens our path towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and the target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030," Joshi said.

Manufacturing Landscape Expansion

The MNRE emphasized that the milestone reflects not just the depth of capacity achieved, but also the breadth of participation in the sector. The number of manufacturers listed under ALMM has increased significantly from 21 in 2021 to 100 currently, who are operating 123 manufacturing units across the country.

This growth includes contributions from both established companies and new entrants, many of whom have adopted high-efficiency technologies and vertically integrated operations. The ministry stated that the result is a diverse and competitive manufacturing landscape capable of fulfilling domestic demand and serving global markets.

Industry Analysis and Future Considerations

Rishabh Jain, Senior Programme Lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), characterized India achieving 100 GW of solar PV module manufacturing capacity as a significant step towards building a diversified solar supply chain. However, Jain noted that this capacity is currently four times India's annual deployment of solar power. "To ensure the continuous growth of the sector, Indian manufacturers should actively supply to new markets and reduce their dependency on the US. Simultaneously, Indian manufacturers should double down on R&D to competitively manufacture next-generation materials and components in India," Jain said.

The achievement represents a substantial transformation in India's renewable energy manufacturing sector, moving from a capacity of 2.3 GW in 2014 to the current 100 GW milestone. The government's ALMM framework has played a central role in this expansion by establishing quality standards and creating a structured pathway for manufacturers to participate in government and government-assisted solar projects.

The manufacturing ecosystem now encompasses 100 firms operating across 123 units nationwide, demonstrating the sector's geographic distribution and industrial diversification. This expansion has been facilitated by various government initiatives, including the Production Linked Incentive scheme specifically designed to promote high-efficiency solar modules.

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