Solar Panels

With a projected 4.5 million tonnes of solar PV waste by 2050, stakeholder consultations are ongoing to establish norms for safe disposal and recycling by 2029-30.

Waaree Energies shares fell 4% following a US Customs ruling on tariff evasion for imports from Vietnam and Malaysia. Facing a potential 2.7 times tariff increase, Waaree's reputation may be at risk.

A surge in the prices of metals and petrochemical inputs linked to the West Asia war has pushed up costs for India's solar power sector by around 20%. The rise, including a 30-35% increase in solar cell prices, could hit developers’ returns and increase their financing costs for projects.

The idea of putting such power generation infrastructure in urban spaces is an appealing alternative to using farmland. But it distracts us from the challenge of decarbonizing an economy and the hard trade-offs that come with it.

The solar capacity that was curtailed on 1 May equals almost one-sixth of the country’s installed capacity of 150GW. Experts said that low demand due to industries closing for Labour Day on 1 May may have contributed to the curtailment.

All but one of India’s top listed solar module companies reported nil exports during the quarter ended 31 March. Market leader Waaree Energies Ltd, which had so far managed to protect its exports to the US, also reported fewer outbound shipments during the fourth quarter of FY26.

As clean energy hits a historic milestone in the global power mix, geopolitical volatility and falling battery costs are pushing India to trade fossil fuel imports for a greener grid.

Banks have turned cautious about lending to solar module makers after a December letter from the clean energy ministry urging them to be cautious about financing new solar photovoltaic module capacity. The sector also faces pressure from a preliminary 126% US tariff.

A new countervailing duty by the US on Indian solar modules are reshaping trade patterns. India's renewable energy ministry sees Africa as a strong alternative for both module exports and for developers setting up projects.

Just when India-US trade ties seemed to be on the mend, Washington imposed a 126% tariff on Indian solar panels. Is this self-defeating protectionism, petty geopolitics or plain policy confusion?