Gautam Solar, a prominent Indian manufacturer of solar PV modules, has recently announced its ambitious proposal to establish a state-of-the-art solar cell production facility in India. The planned plant will have a capacity of 2GW and will focus on the production of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells. This move demonstrates Gautam Solar’s commitment to advancing solar technology and contributing to the growth of renewable energy in India.
Gautam Solar has outlined its initial investment plans for the construction of the TOPCon plant. The company intends to allocate INR 10 billion (approximately US$119 million) for the establishment of the facility, which will have an impressive annual nameplate capacity of 2GW. To facilitate this project, Gautam Solar has acquired a 60-acre plot of land in the city of Bhiwani, situated in the northern state of Haryana. Nevertheless, the company remains open to exploring alternative locations for the construction of the plant.
Gautam Solar’s declaration follows shortly after the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a request for feedback on its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). This list determines the eligible manufacturers and products that qualify for subsidies. The government of India has put forth several proposed regulations concerning the incorporation of solar cells in the ALMM, slated to be implemented on 1st April 2026.
The 2GW solar cell facility established by the company is in line with the government’s directives on solar cells and the ALMM. These initiatives are geared towards boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities and lessening India’s reliance on imports.
At present, Gautam operates a module assembly facility in Haridwar, situated in the northeastern region of India. Additionally, the company is enhancing its module assembly plant in Bhiwani, with plans to diversify into solar cell production at this location. In a broader expansion strategy, Gautam aims to increase its annual nameplate capacity for modules to 3GW by 2024-25 and further to 5GW by 2025-26.
Gautam Mohanka, the CEO of Gautam Solar, expressed, “Our upcoming 2GW solar cell manufacturing facility is in accordance with MNRE’s directives to boost domestic production of solar cells. With over 27 years of industry expertise, we are enhancing our manufacturing capabilities by incorporating solar cell production into our current operations.”
Joining the ranks of Indian solar manufacturers, Gautam Solar has announced its intentions to construct a solar cell manufacturing facility. This development comes shortly after the Jakson Group revealed its investment of $240 million to establish a 2.5GW TOPCon solar cell plant, while also expanding its module assembly plant to 2GW.
With the latest declarations boosting India’s solar manufacturing capabilities, the nation has surged ahead in installed PV capacity this year. Data from market research company Mercom India indicates a significant addition of 15GW in the first half of the year. These figures slightly surpass the estimates of 12.2GW in H1 2024 provided by JMK Research, another market research firm.
