India to appeal WTO ruling in solar content dispute with US - report

India will appeal against a ruling by a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel, according to which the country’s domestic content requirement for certain solar projects contradicts global trade rules.

Business daily Mint said Thursday, citing an unnamed commerce ministry official, the WTO dispute settlement panel has ruled against India in its solar dispute with the US. The panel has concluded that India has to present equal opportunities to both domestic and foreign photovoltaic (PV) equipment makers. It has also criticised the subsidies provided by the Indian government for domestic cell and module manufacturing, Mint said, citing a confidential report.

By appealing against the ruling, India will get a two year’s reprieve, the ministry official told the newspaper, also mentioning the possibility of reaching a bilateral arrangement with the US.

The US started its quest against India’s local content rules early in 2013, complaining to the WTO that these discriminated against US solar manufacturers. The Asian country aims to have 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022.

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