India's solar cell shortage set to ease as capacity triples by 2027

India’s solar-cell deficit is projected to shrink dramatically, with capacity slated to rise from roughly 32 GW now to about 100 GW by December 2027, according to industry insiders. The shift follows the rollout of the ALMM List-II, which prioritises locally sourced cells for rooftop and other installations, prompting firms such as Avaada Group and Vikram Solar to invest heavily in new plants. Avaada’s chairman expects its cell output to reach 6 GW, supplying half-cut cells to domestic module makers, while Vikram Solar plans to commission 9 GW of capacity by the close of FY27.

Experts caution that comparing total module capacity—over 200 GW—with cell capacity can be misleading, as not all module lines run at full utilization and many projects are exempt from the local-content rule. Analysts also warn that excess module capacity could trigger consolidation among smaller producers. Overall, the expanding domestic cell base is seen as essential for reducing reliance on imports and strengthening India’s renewable-energy supply chain.