changeadminSAEL Industries Ltd, through its subsidiary SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited, will invest Rs 8,200 crore (~US$955 million) to establish an integrated solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The upcoming facility in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in Greater Noida will house a 5 GW solar cell manufacturing unit and a 5 GW solar module manufacturing line. Through this project, SAEL’s total solar manufacturing capacity will rise to 8.5 GW. It’s existing units are in Rajasthan and Punjab.
Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin this year and will feature advanced Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar cell technology. TOPCon is considered one of the most promising solar manufacturing technologies as the structure helps reduce energy loss, especially at the back contact.
The Uttar Pradesh solar manufacturing unit will support SAEL’s backwards integration strategy to serve its solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) business and contribute to the domestic solar value chain.
The company has deployed several large-scale solar power projects, measuring 6.5 GW, across states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Mizoram, and Karnataka.
Solar cell and module manufacturing is crucial for India as it strengthens energy security, reduces dependence on imports, and supports the country’s transition to clean energy.
Currently, the majority of India’s solar cells and modules needs are fulfilled from Chinese imports. The increase in domestic manufacturing reduces dependence on foreign supply chains and protects against global price volatility or geopolitical risks. It also aligns with the Make in India initiatives, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and boosting local industries.
Recognising the need for local manufacturing, the Indian government has increased its focus towards this direction and taken a series of steps, including introducing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
In 2023, to encourage domestic and local production of solar modules in India, the government launched an inventive scheme of Rs 18,500 crores (~ US$2.1 billion). Through this incentive scheme for solar module manufacturing, the Indian government intends to add 48.3 GW of solar energy.
Earlier this year, the government launched the Solar PV Module Testing Lab in Haryana. This is a significant step to ensure solar modules meet the highest quality standards.
Recently, India achieved a landmark in its energy transition journey by reaching 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources. As India strives to achieve the 500 GW target of renewable capacity by 2030, solar energy production and solar manufacturing will be vital.
By manufacturing solar cells, India can save on foreign exchange, improve trade balance, and reduce carbon emissions associated with imported equipment, making it a strategic and sustainable choice for the nation’s future.
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