Introduction
India has ambitious solar targets, but historically, the country has relied heavily on imported solar equipment. To truly become self-reliant, India needs a massive domestic manufacturing boom. We interviewed Vikram Mehta, Director of Waaree Energies, to understand how India is building a self-sustaining solar ecosystem.
The “Make in India” Push
Interviewer: Vikram, how has the landscape of domestic solar manufacturing changed in recent years? Vikram Mehta: “The transformation has been incredible. Just a few years ago, we were importing almost 80% of our solar modules. Today, thanks to government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the ALMM list, domestic manufacturing is booming. We are building massive giga-factories right here in India.”