NSEFI and SolarPower Europe Sign Agreement to Boost EU-India Collaboration in Solar Manufacturing

The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and SolarPower Europe have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration between the European Union (EU) and India in the field of solar energy manufacturing. The agreement focuses on fostering cooperation to support local manufacturing, promote clean energy goals, and facilitate knowledge-sharing between the two regions.

The signing took place during a high-level session at Intersolar Europe 2024, a key industry event held in Munich, Germany. This agreement is expected to lay the foundation for deeper ties between Indian and European stakeholders in the renewable energy sector. The objective is to strengthen the solar value chain across both regions, especially in light of global supply chain disruptions and the increasing need for resilient and localized production capabilities.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the world, driven by its ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. At the same time, the EU is ramping up its clean energy efforts through the European Green Deal and REPowerEU, initiatives aimed at reducing dependency on fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The partnership between NSEFI and SolarPower Europe aligns with these efforts by encouraging joint investments, policy dialogue, and technical cooperation.

Both organizations have agreed to engage in initiatives that promote technology transfer, innovation, and skill development. The agreement will facilitate regular consultations on policy matters, promote the exchange of best practices, and organize joint events and workshops. The collaboration also aims to encourage the development of joint ventures between Indian and European companies in the solar manufacturing space.

One of the major areas of focus will be building resilient solar supply chains by reducing dependency on imports from limited geographies. With geopolitical tensions and market volatility affecting the global renewable energy sector, stakeholders in both India and Europe are increasingly looking at strengthening domestic capacities. The agreement supports efforts to expand manufacturing of solar modules, cells, and other critical components through mutual cooperation.

The partnership also complements ongoing efforts under the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP), a long-standing framework for bilateral engagement on energy transition. Under the CECP, both regions have been actively working to align regulatory frameworks, create investment-friendly environments, and accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies.

In recent years, the Indian government has launched several initiatives to boost domestic solar manufacturing, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, customs duties on imported solar equipment, and financial incentives for establishing gigawatt-scale manufacturing plants. These initiatives are aimed at reducing the reliance on imported equipment and building an indigenous ecosystem for solar components.

Meanwhile, the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act seeks to enhance local manufacturing capacity for clean technologies, including solar PV, by creating favorable policy and investment conditions. The NSEFI-SolarPower Europe agreement is expected to act as a bridge between the two regions to support these parallel efforts through strategic cooperation.

The move has been welcomed by stakeholders across the clean energy ecosystem who see it as a step toward ensuring energy security and sustainability. By aligning the goals of two major renewable energy markets, the agreement provides a structured platform for engaging in deeper industry collaboration, joint research, and mutual support in achieving decarbonization targets.

As India looks to scale up its renewable energy infrastructure and the EU accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels, the partnership is poised to play a critical role in shaping the global solar manufacturing landscape. The agreement sets a precedent for how cross-border cooperation can be harnessed to meet shared energy and climate objectives.

The collaboration will be further reviewed and refined through future engagements, with both parties committed to tracking progress and identifying new areas of partnership. The evolving energy needs and policy shifts in both regions are expected to influence the next steps of this bilateral engagement.

This agreement marks a significant development in EU-India energy cooperation and is a reflection of growing recognition of the role international partnerships can play in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the global clean energy transition.