Chinese solar modules manufacturer JA Solar has achieved an important milestone in one of the fastest growing solar power markets in the world.
JA Solar recently announced that it has achieved 1,000 megawatts of cumulative solar modules shipments in India. The company estimates that these shipments represent 1.7 billion kWh of electricity generation and 1.47 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions offsets.
The company saw a sharp jump in shipments to India in 2016 as well as first quarter of 2017. These claims are in line with the sharp jump in capacity addition in India. Chinese solar module manufacturers have always commanded a majority share in solar module imports in India. China-made modules have gained spotlight over the last few months as the government and government-owned companies have launched tenders of several hundreds of megawatts garnering record-low tariff bids from modules.
In FY2013-14, of all the solar power modules imported into India 65% were from Chinese manufacturers. This figure increased to 70% in the subsequent financial year. Foreign companies have benefitted from Indian government’s policy not to impose anti-dumping duties on imported solar power modules.
The rapid increase in solar power capacity in India has benefitted other foreign manufacturers as well. Last year, First Solar announced that its cumulative solar power module shipment to India has crossed 1 GW and it has become the first thin-film solar panel manufacturer to achieve this feat. Chinese manufacturer ReneSola also announced that it expected shipment of more than 1,000 megawatts to India in FY2016-17.
JA Solar may also be looking to set up module manufacturing units in India. In 2015 the company entered an agreement with Essel Group to to set up a manufacturing facility for solar cells and modules. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 500 MW worth of solar cells and modules every year. The joint venture will invest an estimated $150 million in the production company, of which about $30 to 45 million will be equity funding.
