Why in news
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) targeted 30 GW domestic polysilicon manufacturing capacity by 2030.
Strategic Rationale
- Polysilicon is the foundational raw material for silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) solar wafers, ingots, cells, and modules.
- India currently relies heavily on imported polysilicon, exposing its 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy target by 2030 to supply chain vulnerabilities.
Policy Framework
- Backed by planned investments of ₹25,000 crore under targeted government manufacturing incentive frameworks.
- Complemented by research into grid-scale energy storage options such as Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.
Key terms
Polysilicon
High-purity polycrystalline form of silicon used as a fundamental raw material in solar PV manufacturing.
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
A type of rechargeable flow battery that uses vanadium ions in different oxidation states to store chemical potential energy.
Prelims facts
- Polysilicon is refined from quartzite and forms the initial stage of the solar PV manufacturing value chain.
Mains discussion
- Discuss strategies to overcome upstream manufacturing bottlenecks in India's renewable energy sector.
Source: Economic Times
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
-
2025 · Q4 · GS III · 10 marks
Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India. -
2024 · Q9 · GS II · 10 marks
'The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China's supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China's political and economic dominance.' Explain this statement with examples. -
2018 · Q4 · GS III · 10 marks
Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries? (150 Words, 10 Marks). -
2015 · Q6 · GS III · 12 marks
What are the impediments in marketing and supply chain management in developing the food processing industry in India? Can e-commerce help in overcoming this bottleneck? -
2025 · Q70 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' : I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector. II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels. III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building. Which of the statements given above are correct?