Solar module manufacturing lines. Image source: Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd

Eleven solar manufacturers have submitted bids for INR 195 billion (USD 2.36bn/EUR 2.23bn) in funding under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at deploying gigawatt-scale domestic manufacturing capacity for high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) modules, Mercom reported on Thursday, citing sources.

This represents the second tranche of the PLI scheme, the financing for which was allocated in India’s 2022/23 budget. Proposals in the bidding process, run by the government’s Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), were due by February 28.

Bids have been submitted by Reliance Industries, ReNew Power, Tata Power, US company First Solar, Ampin (Amp Energy), Avaada Energy, Grew Energy, JSW Energy, Shirdi Sai Electricals, Vikram Solar and Waaree, according to Mercom.

The proposed manufacturing facilities involve different levels of integration. Bids for fully integrated facilities, from polysilicon to solar modules, came from Reliance, First Solar and Shirdi Sai, according to the article.

Bloomberg also reported, citing sources, that Reliance, Tata Power, ReNew, First Solar, Avaada and JSW Energy have placed bids. The troubled Adani Group is said to have stayed away.

The tranche II funding will be awarded across three baskets based on the level of integration, with minimum integration of cells and modules required.