Indian Solar Glass Makers Get a Fresh Breather. Here’s How

Indian solar glass manufacturers have received a fresh breather as the government has extended the time period to shield them from cheaper imports from Malaysia. In a recent move, the Ministry of Finance has extended the tenure of countervailing duty (CVD) on imported solar glass from the Southeast Asian country.

Earlier, on March 9, 2021, the ministry had imposed CVD on imports of solar glass from Malaysia for a period of five years, which was set to conclude on March 8, 2026. However, the government has now granted an additional extension of three months, providing relief to domestic solar glass manufacturers who face competition from countries such as China and Malaysia, particularly on pricing.

As per the latest notification issued by the Finance Ministry, the CVD will remain in effect until June 8, 2026. “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred…of the Customs Tariff Act…the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in the notificatio…dated the 9th March, 2021, namely: In the said notification, after paragraph 2 and before Explanation, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely:- Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph 2, the countervailing duty imposed under this notification shall remain in force up to and inclusive of the 8th June, 2026, unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier.”.

Matter Before DGTR

Indian solar glass makers had earlier approached the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) seeking continuation of the CVD on Malaysian solar glass imports. The government body is yet to complete its examination and issue final recommendations. The latest move is likely to provide additional time for the DGTR to submit its findings, which could influence the outcome of the case.

Indian solar glass manufacturers such as Borosil Renewables view imports from Malaysia as unfairly priced, adversely impacting domestic producers. In India, companies including Borosil Renewables and Vishakha Glass are currently engaged in solar glass manufacturing, while several large players such as Reliance, Avaada, and others have announced plans to enter the segment. At the same time, existing players like Borosil Renewables and Vishakha Glass have announced plans to expand their production capacities.

At present, India’s domestic solar glass production stands at around 1,600 tonnes per day, while imports are estimated at approximately 8,000 tonnes per day. This leaves significant headroom for domestic manufacturers to cater to rising demand as solar module installations are expected to increase.