ALMM Certification Extension Risks: Navitas Solar’s View

What are your views on the government’s recent decision for relaxation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers?

At Navitas Solar, we believe that extension of ALMM, a favourable policy for domestic manufacturers, would question about policy implementation by the Indian Government and its volatility. We believe that such move will adversely affect the investments of domestic PV manufacturing. It may risk job losses across domestic solar manufacturing industry in India.

Do you think delaying ALMM implementation would slow down the expansion investments made by domestic manufacturers, slowing progress towards realising an Atmanirbhar Bharat?

India would require to invest INR 53,773 crore in upcoming 3-4 years to indigenize domestic manufacturing value chain. ALMM mandate is crucial to protect these investments. India is expected to have greater than 95 GW of domestic manufacturing capacity by 2025. With increasing domestic manufacturing capacities of solar cells and modules, India can stand at a stronger position in the global solar market. But with this decision, we surely think that delaying ALMM implementation would slow down the expansions of domestic manufacturers to a very large extent which will ultimately slow down the progress towards realising “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

What would be its impact on India’s ambitious renewable energy target of 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030?

According to CEA, we have installed 122 GW of renewable energy including 64 GW of solar till now in India. The target seems difficult to achieve however it’s not impossible. But the developers require favourable policies from the government in which the Indian Government can improve.