Demand lifting RE 

The Indian solar sector is gearing up for expansion, with projections indicating a manufacturing capacity surge to over 100 gigawatts within the next six months.

Energy demand is skyrocketing. In fact, global energy consumption has surged by an estimated 30 percent over the past two decades. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that this demand will only continue to grow, with rapidly developing regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America leading the charge. Factors like urbanisation, industrial growth, and the digital boom fuel this rise, placing electricity needs at the forefront of modern life.

As demand intensifies, the shift toward renewable energy has gained momentum, pushing new technologies and policies to meet the call for sustainability. With an urgent need for energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions, industry leaders are shaping a cleaner future. Recently, at the REI Expo in Greater Noida, experts gathered to discuss these advancements, spotlighting the latest innovations in the sector and how they are set to redefine energy’s future.

Current status

The solar industry in India is experiencing record growth, and companies like DhaSh PV Technologies are preparing to meet the escalating demand. Mohammad Asif Patel, who oversees business development at DhaSh PV, recently shared insights on the company’s strategic growth plans and how it is positioning itself within expanding solar manufacturing in India.

Icon Solar adapts to this rapid evolution by focusing on retail and large-scale projects. According to Rajat Shrivastava, General Manager of Marketing at Icon Solar, the company is leveraging the PM KUSUM scheme for retail sales while improving its capabilities to take on utility-scale solar parks. Adding to it, Aniket Tondare, Director – Distribution Sales at ECE India, mentioned, “We are scaling our operations, expanding from the current 450-megawatt capacity to 1.2 gigawatts with a new facility expected to be operational by the end of the financial year. This expansion will bring ECE’s total capacity to approximately 1.8 gigawatts.”

Capt. Ishver Dholakiya, Managing Director and Founder of Goldi Solar expressed that Goldi Solar stands out for its emphasis on quality in solar module manufacturing, with advanced technology designed to minimise defects and ensure top-tier production. “The new 14-gigawatt production line has achieved a remarkable production uptime of 10,000 hours, which has increased quality and provided employment opportunities,” he added.

Priyam Patel, Executive Director, BD at Sunbond Energy shared that the firm has expanded into the solar PV module sector as part of its broader growth. This initiative marks a diversification for the Sunbond Energy Group, which has been a prominent player in ceramic tile manufacturing since 2008. “This move underlines the group’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions within its expanding business portfolio. More focus is on increasing the manufacturing capacity consistent with the demand for renewable energy,” he said.

Strategies for manufacturing capacity

The Indian solar sector is gearing up for expansion, with projections indicating a manufacturing capacity surge to over 100 gigawatts within the next six months. Mohammad Asif Patel noted scaling its current junction box production capacity of 32 gigawatts to 63 gigawatts by mid-2025.

Rajat Shrivastava shared that the company, with an initial capacity of 22 megawatts, has now expanded to 600 megawatts and aims to reach 2.2 gigawatts by 2025, increasing capacity by 200 megawatts monthly to meet rising demand. In Maharashtra, Aniket Tondare revealed a new Channel Partner Programme. This initiative is expanding into Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. It will enable partners to place orders directly through an application. Also, Goldi Solar’s journey from megawatts to gigawatts today, with a target of 14 gigawatts, exemplifies expansion. Ishver Dholakiya shared, “Goldi Solar is committed to manufacturing 4 gigawatts of solar cells by January 1st, supporting the Made in India initiative with domestic content requirement (DCR) cells.” 

Moreover,  Vikas Jain, managing director of Insolation Energy, detailed that the Insolation Energy product line with a new 3-gigawatt solar cell manufacturing facility is in development, not disclosing the location. Whereas, Waaree Energies, with a current solar module production capacity of 13.3 gigawatts—12 gigawatts in Gujarat and 1.3 gigawatts nearby, plans to ramp up output to meet growing demand, according to Amit Paithankar, Chief Executive Officer at Waaree Energies. Priyam Patel reported that Sunbond Energy’s 500-megawatt capacity will reach 1.2 gigawatts next fiscal year. Sunbond’s portfolio includes monofacial and bifacial panels, DCR and non-DCR models, and advanced Topcon modules with a capacity of up to 640 watts, all ALMM registered and certified. Lastly, Rahul Bhutiani, Chief Marketing Officer at Adani Solar, noted, “Adani Solar is advancing with modules based on the G12R wafer size, targeting both domestic and global markets, achieving nearly 620 watts peak”. He emphasised Adani’s integrated approach, which maintains a 4-gigawatt capacity covering cell and module manufacturing and essential ancillary production.

This collective momentum indicates the future of expanding India’s solar infrastructure and commitment to becoming a global leader in sustainable energy production.

Innovating for future

To innovate for the future, companies are improving solar technologies, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and focusing on sustainability to meet growing market demands. Vipin Bhardwaj, Country Manager, India of SolaX Power, shared, “Our company offers a range of microinverters and utility-scale inverters, along with energy storage solutions for residential and utility applications.” Bhushan Sawhney, Executive president and CBO – B2B, Polycab, focuses on zero-waste energy usage and backward integration to support India’s 2030 renewable energy goals. Icon Solar, led by Rajat Shrivastava, is expanding into bifacial and advanced conversion panels, with plans for advanced junction technology and a 620-watt panel model.

Additionally, Mohammad Asif Patel highlighted innovation in solar technology, with upgraded junction boxes supporting higher current ratings, including a new 35-ampere model. As India’s largest integrated PV junction box manufacturer, DhaSh PV is expanding into cable and diode production, targeting 1,000 kilometres of cables and 1.4 million diodes daily, enabling a smooth, high-quality supply chain.  DhaSh PV has also developed connectors and boxes for 2,000 VDC systems to meet evolving industry standards. Aniket Tondare noted, “ECE India’s platform connects customers and channel partners directly, and their 50-megawatt Solar Park in Solapur offers affordable solar setups.” Meanwhile, Ishver Dholakiya announced that expansion by Goldi Solar will create 4,000 jobs, supported by skill partnerships. Vikas Jain from Insolation Energy remarked, “Our ambitious target is to reach an 8-gigawatt panel production capacity and achieve 3-gigawatt sales. We are launching cutting-edge 630-watt Topcon and high-efficiency G12R modules to meet growing market demand.” Amit Paithankar highlighted Waaree Energies’ entry into cell manufacturing, adding 5.4 gigawatts to support solar production. Priyam Patel of Sunbond Energy emphasised industrial DCR panels and rooftop markets. At the same time, Rahul Bhutiani shared Adani Solar’s edge in the global market through full control over cell and module production.

REI- platform for collaboration

The Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo is a platform for collaboration within the renewable energy sector. It brings together industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, and integrators, fostering networking opportunities and knowledge sharing. Mohammad Asif Patel highlighted the importance of the Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo as a collaborative platform for DhaSh PV Technologies, enabling interaction with peers, customers, and industry stakeholders. Patel emphasised that such events are essential for knowledge exchange, showcasing innovations, and building connections that drive progress in the renewable energy sector. Rajat Shrivastava focused on advanced technologies and collaboration to address the evolving solar market needs and contribute to renewable energy’s future in India and beyond.

While Bhushan Sawhney noted the REI exhibition’s value for networking and forming partnerships, showcasing advancements within the renewable energy industry. He said, “We aim to produce zero-carbon products that meet increasing energy demands while promoting environmental sustainability through new technologies.” Vipin Bhardwaj reflected on the country’s leading role in renewable energy, attributing the growth to strong government initiatives like the PM Suryaghar scheme. Aniket Tondare recognised the REI as a critical networking hub for solar industry professionals, creating new opportunities for manufacturers, integrators, and consultants.

Ishver Dholakiya commented, “REI Expo is India’s largest solar energy show, which has drawn interest in Goldi Solar products. Favourable policies and sunlight abundance in India fuel optimism for future growth.” Vikas Jain from Insolation Energy shared that since the company’s inception, the REI Expo has been central for networking and innovation showcases, mirroring the event’s expanding influence. Vipin Bhardwaj stated that the REI exhibition is important for Solax Power, as it facilitates collaboration and explores new technologies. He stressed the importance of industry synergy in enhancing the growth of the solar sector and ensuring reliable products and services in the inverter market for customer satisfaction.

Amit Paithankar also shared, “Waaree Energies values its long-standing participation in the REI Expo, seeing it as essential for networking with customers and partners and engaging in discussions that foster industry insights.” Priyam Patel from Sunbond Energy emphasised REI’s value in market engagement and brand visibility, aligning with customer-centric strategies.

To conclude, optimism for the future of renewable energy in India is strong, with expectations for advancements driven by government support and commitments to global green energy goals. Over the next decade, India will lead in solar, hydrogen electrolysis, and battery technologies. The rising energy demand and the growth of renewable energy point toward an evolving energy scene. As technology advances, economies adapt, and policies become more supportive, renewable energy will be able to meet the demands of a growing global population. However, the momentum behind renewable energy is impending, with innovations, cost reductions, and strategic planning setting the stage for a sustainable energy future.