Cabinet Approves Rs 19,500 Crore PLI Scheme To Achieve Gigawatt Scale Manufacturing Capacity In High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet on Wednesday (21 September) approved the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for achieving gigawatt scale manufacturing capacity in high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

The cabinet cleared the proposal by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for implementation of the PLI Scheme (Tranche II) on ‘National programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules’ with an outlay of Rs.19,500 crore, a government release said.

According to the release, the national programme on high efficiency solar PV modules aims to build an ecosystem for manufacturing of high efficiency solar PV modules in India, and thus reduce import dependence in the area of renewable energy.

It will strengthen the Atamnirbhar Bharat initiative and generate employment, the release said.

The solar PV manufacturers will be selected under the PLI programme through a transparent selection process, it added.

Under the scheme, the PLI incentives will be disbursed for five years post commissioning of solar PV manufacturing plants on sales of high efficiency solar PV modules from the domestic market

The government expects that the scheme will help bring direct investment of around Rs 94,000 crore and provide 1.95 lakh direct and 7.8 lakh indirect job opportunities.

The PLI scheme will help in creation of manufacturing capacity for balance of materials like EVA, Solar glass, Backsheet, etc.

"It is estimated that about 65,000 MW per annum manufacturing capacity of fully and partially integrated, solar PV modules would be installed," the release said.

The scheme is also expected to help in import substitution of about Rs 1.37 lakh crore.

Beside, it will also give an impetus to research and development to achieve higher efficiencies in Solar PV Modules.