Solar exports jump after US ban on China goods

NEW DELHI: Indian solar module exports have jumped sharply, driven mostly by rising shipments to the US after Washington's ban on import of items suspected to have been made using 'forced labour' left supplies from China stranded.
India exported modules worth $157 million during the July-September period against exports worth over $21 million in the same period a year ago, renewable energy market tracker Mercom said quoting commerce ministry data.
Since the Indian module exports stood at a little over $26 million in the April-June period, it becomes clear that outbound shipments surged soon after the US ban came into effect in June. The US promulgated the forced labour law to target China's alleged use of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province as slave labour, a charge Beijing has steadfastly denied.
According to Gautam Solar's MD Gautam Mohanka, though the volume of solar exports is small in dollar terms compared to other outbound shipments, its value lies in demonstrating India's capabilities and potential as a trusted supplier. He said exports will not affect domestic supply as there is a big pipeline of capacity addition.