RIL, others want to plug into photovoltaic El Dorado
Suddenly, the sun is shining brighter for solar photovoltaic (SPV) startups looking to set shop in India. Under pressure from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China has removed the 10 per cent odd direct subsidy it provided to SPV makers in the country.
With the price of SPV capacity expected to go up by at least 2 per cent in the immediate instance at the cell stage to $4, it has now become more attractive for new entrants to take a shot at the global SPV market, estimated to be over $20 billion at the retail end.
There are at least five companies looking at setting up or expanding SPV cell and module capacities in India currently. They include Solar Semiconductors, Signet Solar, Reliance Industries and Moser Baer.
At present, the industry in India is highly fragmented, with at least 17 companies involved in SPV manufacturing, though with minuscule capacities. The biggest are BP Solar and Solar Semiconductors.
