Indian solar module and cell exports increased 26.1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to $267.6 million (~₹23.1 billion) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 from $212.2 million (~₹17.92 billion), according to recent data published by the Department of Commerce.

However, module and cell exports declined 59.9% year-over-year (YoY) to $666.7 million (~₹55.37 billion).

Solar exports in the quarter were dominated by photovoltaic modules, which accounted for 98.7% of the total shipments, while solar cells made up the remaining 1.3%.

The U.S. was the primary destination for Indian solar cell and module exports, accounting for 99.5% of the total in Q1 2025.

India imported $1.3 billion (~₹112.8 billion) worth of solar cells and modules in Q1 2025, representing a 35.1% year-over-year (YoY) decrease from $2 billion (~₹166.9 billion).

Solar modules accounted for 62.4% of the quarter’s solar imports, while solar cells accounted for the remaining 37.6%.

Module and cell imports increased 80.2% QoQ from $723.4 million (~₹61.1).

The reimposition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order significantly curtailed solar module imports into India. Additionally, the mandate for government projects to use only modules that meet domestic content standards further contributed to the decline.

Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy updated the ALMM by adding 2,988 MW of solar module manufacturing capacity.

China remained the dominant supplier of solar products to India, accounting for 78.1%. Vietnam was the second-largest supplier, with a 9.8% share, followed by Hong Kong at 5.6%. Other suppliers include Indonesia, the U.S., and Thailand, which exported 4%, 1.3%, and 0.8% of solar products to India, respectively.

Imported cells and modules continued to be used beyond Q2 2024 in captive open access projects, behind-the-meter installations, and legacy projects, as these were not covered under the ALMM mandate.

India added 25.3 GW of solar module capacity and 11.6 GW of solar cell capacity in 2024, according to Mercom’s State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2025 report.
Jinko Solar, Waaree Energies, LONGi Green Energy Technology, Trina Solar, and Adani Solar were the top solar module suppliers in 2024, according to Mercom’s recently released India Solar Market Leaderboard 2025.

Detailed data on solar imports and exports, broken down by component type, supplier, manufacturer, and developer, is available in Mercom’s India Solar Export-Import Tracker.