How the US undermined India's local solar energy program

By Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor
FEBRUARY 25, 2016

The World Trade Organization dealt a damaging blow to India's solar panel industry Wednesday, and it's all thanks to legality complaints from the US.

India can no longer pursue its ambitious renewable energy goals through local subsidies, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled Wednesday.

Through government subsidies and long-term contracts, India’s National Solar Mission hopes to achieve 100,000 megawatts of solar capacity by 2022. India has already become a leader in solar-manufacturing by offering solar power developers cost breaks for building panels with Indian-made cells and modules.

But the WTO ruled against India’s solar mission Wednesday, saying the country’s "localization" deals unfairly favor India’s own solar products over imported technology.

And here is the zinger that’s really making some renewable energy advocates angry: the WTO ruling only came about because the United States complained.

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