Why domestic RE equipment manufacturers are struggling to make their mark

In the absence of a settled policy towards the sector, the domestic renewal energy sector remains where it has been for the past 15 years

Domestic manufacturers of solar energy equipment should have been the happiest businesspeople in India. Over the past two years, the Centre has offered it the protection of high tariff barriers. But instead of spreading cheer, these moves have created more confusion, with manufacturers upping their demands for protection, and their customers, developers of solar power projects, crying foul.  

As part of the recent efforts to ban imports from China, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed a 20 per cent basic customs duty (BCD) on solar cell and module imports. The finance ministry is yet to approve this