FILE PHOTO: Workers clean photovoltaic modules in a solar power plant in Gujarat, India, July 2, 2015. REUTERS / Amit Dave / File Photo
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India is considering imposing a tariff on imports of solar modules, cells and inverters from August, the energy ministry said on Tuesday in an effort to curb foreign purchases.
India is currently not levying any customs tax on imports of solar cells and modules, most of which are from China, to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of installing 100 gigawatts of solar power by 2022. Other existing taxes expire in July.
Three state-run companies would be offering low-interest financing to encourage local production of solar panels, the Department of Energy said in a statement.
Reporting from Sankalp Phartiyal; Arrangement by Edmund Blair