All of a Sudden the Indian Solar Market is in the Lime Light, as the U.S. has filled a dispute against India on grounds on certain measures of India
relating to domestic content requirements under the Jawaharlal Nehru
National Solar Mission (NSM) for solar cells and solar modules (link).
To Counter Attack this move from US, Indian Government, MNRE has called for a Urgent Meeting with the Indian Suppliers of Solar Equipments to know whether they could supply the planned JNNSM Phase 2 Projects. Renew India Campaign did an investigation on the Past Solar Projects in the Country and has found that Indian firms, especially module manufacturers were struggling as they provided Modules for only 40% of the total 268MW installed so far under JNNSM phase 1 (as per Dec'12). This equates only to about 120 MW aggregate capacity. Also the Indian manufacturers are alleging that equipment makers from U.S., China, Malaysia and Taiwan ship Solar Products to India at "predatory prices" as demand in the
West has slowed and that of India has grown.
Speaking at the India Energy Congress, Minister of New and Renewable Energy -Dr. Farooq Abdullah, said there were two groups within the country one favoring local content and another which has "very strongly" opposed
it. "We are getting both sides face to face to decide which side is really right,". "Local content is going to go if you do not defend your position very strongly,". Also According to Economic Times (link) Minister has called for a Consultation on Feb 15th 2013 to discuss the issue.
