At the sidelines of the Intersolar India 2025 event organised in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the Renewable Watch team interviewed Vinay Thadani, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Grew Solar. Founded in 2022, Grew Solar has a current portfolio (installed and in the pipeline) of around 8 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and 3 GW of solar cell, wafer, and ingot manufacturing capacity with TopCon technology. Thadani talked about Grew Solar’s existing solar manufacturing capacities and future expansion plans. Edited excerpts…
Can you provide an overview of Grew Solar’s existing solar cell and module manufacturing capacity?
We have a solar module manufacturing capacity of 8 GW, all of which is based on TOPCon technology. Our ISO-certified 8.0GW manufacturing facility is in Dudu (Jaipur, Rajasthan). We have already secured land in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh, and have ample space available for future expansion. With the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List II set to take effect by 2026, we recognise the need for backward integration to tap the market effectively. We plan to start with 3 GW of solar cell capacity and later expand to 6 GW.
What are the key challenges in setting up an integrated solar cell manufacturing facility in India?
The industry as a whole is facing several challenges. However, people are acquiring the necessary skills and experience. The learning curve is steep, and we are actively working to mitigate risks and facilitate skill development. To this end, we are sending our employees to China for training to ensure that they gain the required practical experience with machinery before working on-site. Additionally, we have contracted our equipment suppliers for two years post-installation to support our
operational ramp-up.
How has the government supported the domestic solar manufacturing industry?
The Indian government has consistently provided strong support for the PV industry through production-linked incentive schemes and tariff-based protection with duties on imported modules and solar cells. In addition, most state governments have aligned with the central government on key policy issues. Notably, one of the most effective measures taken by the government has been the implementation of non-tariff-based measures such as the ALMM.
Which technology are you focusing on? How are you staying competitive?
As the solar manufacturing company in India that started full-fledged operations this year, we are focused on adopting the latest technology by carefully selecting equipment and designing our facilities to adopt the latest technology. On the product side, we are actively working to develop our TOPCon modules and cells with higher efficiency rates, lower degradation rates and enhanced reliability. Our in house R&D facility is equipped to conduct 25 different types of tests. It will be India’s first facility to feature a golden module chamber, it is A++ certified and comparable to PRASAN. This includes 100 percent string level testing with dual stage EL and AI powered visual inspection. We have also collaborated with India’s top technical institutions, which has been instrumental in our research efforts. Over time, as our operations expand, the percentage of revenue allocated to research and development (R&D) is expected to gradually decrease.
What percentage of your manufacturing will cater to the domestic market versus exports?
Our revenue of Rs 14 billion (for the past year) comes entirely from the domestic market. We are exploring export opportunities and anticipate an increase in our exports in the upcoming financial year. We cater to independent power producers, and the retail, and commercial and industrial segments. We are keeping a close watch on the recent change in administration and the consequent post-election policy changes in the US. The way US policies evolve regarding climate change and solar imports will significantly impact demand for Indian-manufactured solar products. The current uncertainty has affected module manufacturers who rely on export revenue.
