New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said India is likely to become self-sufficient in solar cell manufacturing within a year, highlighting the rapid growth of the country's renewable energy and domestic manufacturing capacities.

Speaking during a fireside chat at an event marking two years of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Joshi said India's solar manufacturing ecosystem has expanded significantly over the past decade.

Referring to the growth in solar installations, the minister said, 'The 2.65 gigawatt was the total installed capacity in India. Now it is 150 plus gigawatt as far as solar alone, I am speaking.'

He said the expansion in renewable energy capacity prompted the government to focus on domestic manufacturing.

'That's why we thought of promoting manufacturing in India. Almost the module manufacturing capacity was very, very limited. If my memory serves me right, I think it is four or five gigawatts, and today it is nearly about 175 gigawatts. And our cell capacity has increased to about 30 gigawatts, nearly,' Joshi said.

The minister expressed confidence that ongoing policy measures would help India achieve self-sufficiency in solar cells soon.

'And now cell manufacturing has also gone up well. Along with that, now polysilicon, wire planning, ingot, wafer, these things which are being manufactured,' he said.

Highlighting the government's target, Joshi said, 'I am quite confident that in the coming days, we will be very shortly. If I can tell through this forum, in the coming year or so, we will be self-sufficient in cells also. You mark my words today. We will be self-sufficient in the cells also.'

He further said India has already achieved a strong position in solar module manufacturing.

'As far as the module is concerned, we are not just self-sufficient. We can cater for the needs of the entire world,' the minister said.

Joshi added that the country's roadmap extends beyond cells and includes the development of the entire solar manufacturing value chain.

'And in the coming days, from polysilicon to ingot to wafer also, our pathway is ready. We have announced that,' he said. (ANI)