Legal

India is planning to impose a safeguard duty this year to protect its domestic solar manufacturing sector. Many in the industry earnestly believe that if such duties were to be imposed, then a slowing down in market growth would be inevitable. However, the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) believes this will not be the case. Either way, this duty has created unwanted uncertainty in the market.

The United States blocks India’s request for a panel to investigate Indian compliance to solar cells ruling. Thus, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has deferred the establishment of a compliance panel. Moreover, U.S. reserves its right to obtain WTO authorization to take countermeasures against India, but there is desire to find a bilateral resolution.

Following a complaint from Indian glass specialist Gujarat Borosil ltd, the government has initiated an anti-dumping probe for the imports of solar glass.

India is calling for a special meeting of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), to be held on February 9, to consider its request to resolve the disagreement between India and the U.S.

The 9th monthly get-together and stakeholder’s meeting of the International Solar Alliance was held on January 24. The event witnessed several announcements from companies such as TATA ($2.25 million Incubation hub), NTPC (new developments), Power Grid Corporation of India (new battery storage projects), Infosys (smart PV solutions), and Emami.

India has proposed to impose safeguard duty at the rate of 70% for a period of 200 days on imported cells and modules coming from China PR and Malaysia.

India hit back on Monday at Washington’s latest legal assault on its solar power policies at the World Trade Organization, rejecting a US legal claim and exploring possible new protection of India’s own solar industry.

Gyanesh Chaudhary, General Secretary of All India Solar Industries Association, speaks to pv magazine ahead of an ongoing tax hearing regarding imported solar cells and modules. On behalf of AISIA, he recommended solutions that should be considered for the benefit of local manufacturers.

According to reports, India is planning to impose a 7.5% tax on imported solar PV modules.

Reuters reports that the United States is once again planning to take India back to a WTO ruling regarding an ongoing solar power dispute. Last year India lost the case against the U.S., which had alleged discriminatory practices in favor of domestic firms and against foreign competitors.