Over the past decade, the Indian solar wire and cable segment has witnessed remarkable growth. What began as a niche within the electrical cable industry is now a vital part of the country’s renewable energy push. June 25, 2025. By News Bureau As India forges ahead with its bold target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, key enablers of this transition that often operate behind the scenes are stepping into the limelight. Within this space, solar cables and connectors form an invisible yet indispensable part of solar power systems. Once considered simple components, today, they have become critical to ensuring safety, durability, and performance in modern solar installations.Evolution of the Indian Solar Cabling EcosystemOver the past decade, the Indian solar wire and cable segment has witnessed remarkable growth. What began as a niche within the electrical cable industry is now a vital part of the country’s renewable energy push. The demand for robust and high-performing solar cables has surged, in tandem with the expansion of solar capacity from just 0.5 percent of the total electricity generation in 2015 to around 20.75 percent in the financial year 2023–24. This significant increase underscores the vital role solar energy now plays in India’s power mix. This expansion has driven innovation and regulatory standardisation in cable manufacturing, with increasing alignment to global benchmarks.Advancements in Cable TechnologyAt the core of technological advancements in solar cabling is electron beam (E-Beam) irradiation technology. This process enhances the thermal, mechanical, and environmental resistance of cables, ensuring long-term reliability even under harsh conditions. Unlike traditional cross-linking methods, E-Beam provides more uniform cross-linking, better thermal and mechanical stability, high UV stability, and eliminates issues like under-curing or over-curing the insulation and sheath materials, making cables more durable for the 25-year life expectancy typical of solar projects.Other advancements include the mandatory use of halogen-free solar cables, which release low smoke and are non-toxic in case of fire. A major regulatory shift came with the Quality Control Order (QCO) issued by the Ministry of Commerce and BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), making it mandatory for all solar DC cables used in India to conform to IS 17293. This Indian Standard is based on cross-linked halogen-free insulated cables, aligning with IEC 62930 and even exceeding the stringent safety, thermal, and UV-resistance benchmarks set by EN 50618—the globally recognised standard for photovoltaic cables.This move ensures that only high-performance, long-lasting, and environmentally safe solar cables are used in critical installations, offering protection against degradation, fire hazards, and electrical failures. It also addresses the earlier influx of inferior or non-compliant imports, strengthening both quality and s
