India adds 44.2 GW of solar module capacity in first half of 2025

India’s solar manufacturing sector added 44.2 gigawatts (GW) of module capacity and 7.5 GW of cell capacity in the first half of 2025, according to Mercom India’s report State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 1H 2025.

The report links the growth to the 186 GW large-scale solar project pipeline expected between 2025 and 2027, national solar targets for 2030, and rising demand for modules compliant with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

TOPCon technology dominated module capacity additions, contributing 39.9 GW, followed by 3 GW of monocrystalline modules. Heterojunction (HJT) technology recorded its first addition with 1.2 GW. No new integrated wafer/ingot or polysilicon capacity was added in this period.

Cumulative ALMM List-I module capacity reached 109.5 GW, while ALMM List-II cell capacity stood at nearly 17.9 GW. As of 30 June 2025, monocrystalline cells made up 54.5% of total cell capacity, TOPCon 41.5%, and polycrystalline 4%.

Manufacturers have 181.6 GW of module capacity and 86.1 GW of cell capacity under construction, with commissioning expected by 2027. An additional 97 GW of module and 84.7 GW of cell capacity has been announced, with an expected commissioning by 2030.

Operational output continues to lag behind announced capacity. New module lines typically take months to reach full production, while smaller plants face limitations from outdated equipment, lower scale, and low-wattage modules. This has led to fewer orders and consolidation, giving larger manufacturers a competitive edge. Shortages of Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) compliant modules are likely to continue until domestic cell production rises, said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.

Gujarat accounted for 41.6% of module capacity as of June 2025, remaining India’s largest production hub. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh followed with 12.8 GW and 11.5 GW, respectively.

Imports also remain significant. In the first half of 2025, India imported 44.6 GW of solar modules and cells, with cells representing 66% and modules 34% of the total volume.