In a recent interview with Renewable Watch, Deepak Jain, Chief Technical Officer, Insolation Energy Limited (INA Solar), discussed the company’s rapid growth from an 80 MW setup in 2017 to 5.5 GW today, and its plans to expand further across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted INA Solar’s AI- and robotics-driven manufacturing at its new Sawarda facility, producing next-gen TOPCon and Mono PERC panels. He also spoke about the company’s focus on advanced technologies, rigorous testing and customised solutions for diverse solar applications. He noted INA Solar’s proactive approach to emerging technologies such as perovskite-silicon tandem cells, and its plans for backward integration to support India’s self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-III. Edited excerpts from the interview…
Please provide a brief overview of INA Solar and its journey so far?
A BSE SME-listed company, INA Solar stands as one of India’s leading solar panel manufacturers. Launched in 2017 with an initial capacity of 80 MW, INA Solar has rapidly scaled its operations, and today operates three advanced facilities in Jaipur with a combined annual capacity of 5.5 GW. With over eight years of impeccable manufacturing performance, we are on a rapid growth path, with expansion plans to reach 7 GW of photovoltaic (PV) modules, 4.5 GW of solar cells and 18,000 MTA of aluminium frame manufacturing capacity by 2025–2028, across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
A significant milestone in our journey has been the commissioning of our recently operational manufacturing unit at Sawarda, Jaipur, strategically located on the NH-48, Delhi–Ajmer Expressway. This facility represents the next step in solar manufacturing evolution, being AI- and robotics-driven, which enables highly efficient, automated production processes with minimal human intervention. With a capacity of 4.5 GW, this unit is designed to produce TOPCon and Mono PERC solar panels, technologies that are at the forefront of next-generation solar efficiency. These panels not only deliver higher energy yields, but also offer better durability, making them ideal for both domestic rooftop and utility-scale applications.
We deliver cutting-edge TOPCon, bifacial and monofacial solar panels, ranging from 500 Wp to 630 Wp, backed by innovation and uncompromising quality. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities leverage AI and robotics to ensure precision, efficiency, and reliability in every panel we produce. Our strong industry presence is built on a history of trust and performance: over 400 MW of engineering, procurement and construction along with independent power producer project deployments; and over 800 channel partners across more than a 100 districts.
How does INA Solar ensure that its modules are compatible with the evolving needs of utility-scale, commercial and industrial (C&I), and rooftop solar projects?
At INA Solar, ensuring compatibility across utility-scale, C&I and rooftop solar projects is central to our design and manufacturing philosophy. Solar projects today are diverse, ranging from large-scale solar farms to industrial rooftops and residential installations, and each comes with its own set of technical, operational and environmental requirements. To address these evolving needs, we focus on three core areas: technology, quality and adaptability.
- Advanced technology for diverse applications: Our modules are built using high-efficiency TOPCon and Mono PERC technologies, as well as next-generation M10R and G12R cells. These technologies are engineered for higher energy yield, improved temperature coefficients and enhanced durability. For utility-scale projects, where performance consistency over large areas is critical, our modules deliver exceptional reliability under varying climatic conditions. For C&I and rooftop applications, where space optimisation, aesthetics and long-term durability are crucial, our panels are designed to maximise energy output per square meter while maintaining a sleek profile suitable for visible installations.
- Rigorous testing and certification: Each module undergoes a multi-layered quality assurance process, beginning with careful selection of raw materials and extending through every stage of production. Our fully automated manufacturing lines minimise human error and ensure consistent accuracy in module assembly and final testing. Our panels also carry prestigious certifications including ALMM, BIS, IEC, ISO, UL and CE, making them globally benchmarked and trusted.
- Flexibility and customisation: We understand that every project has unique requirements. For this reason, INA Solar offers tailored solutions across our diverse product range – from TOPCon and bifacial to monofacial modules, with power outputs ranging from 500 Wp to 630 Wp. We offer tailored solutions for residential rooftops, commercial installations, utility-scale solar parks and industrial projects. To reinforce this commitment, INA Solar provides a 30-year linear performance warranty and a 12-year product warranty, assuring our clients that their investment is safe, secure and future-ready.
- Innovation and R&D: Our research and development (R&D) efforts are centred on advancing module technologies that deliver higher performance, durability and adaptability across diverse applications. From developing high-efficiency and high-wattage modules to enhancing encapsulation materials and frame designs, we continuously innovate to maximise energy yield and reliability. The team leverages field data and simulation tools to analyse real-world performance, ensuring our modules remain compatible with the evolving requirements of utility-scale, C&I and rooftop solar projects.
- Global standards, local relevance: By balancing global quality standards with localised adaptation, we ensure our modules perform reliably in India’s varied climatic zones, from scorching deserts to humid coastal regions. This versatility makes our products suitable for all scales of projects while providing investors, developers and end-users with confidence in long-term performance.
Are you exploring tandem cell or perovskite-silicon hybrid technologies as part of INA Solar’s future roadmap?
Yes. INA Solar is actively monitoring and evaluating tandem cell and perovskite-silicon hybrid technologies as part of its long-term technology roadmap, while adopting a risk-managed, phased approach before any large-scale deployment.
Our upcoming N-Type TOPCon facility has been strategically designed with future-ready infrastructure, including flexible equipment layouts, modular process lines and advanced automation systems, that can accommodate next-generation technologies such as tandem or perovskite-silicon hybrid cells with minimal reconfiguration.
This ensures that the facility remains technologically relevant and scalable as new architectures mature. While perovskite and tandem technologies promise significant efficiency gains and a lower levelised cost of energy, INA Solar’s current focus is on:
- Collaborative R&D and pilot-scale validation with leading research institutions and technology partners.
- Reliability and stability testing under accelerated aging and environmental stress conditions to meet 25-year field lifetime targets.
- Material supply chain evaluation for new precursor materials, transparent electrodes, and encapsulants.
- Bankability and certification readiness, ensuring any new technology meets customer, insurer and financier requirements.
Key risks such as long-term stability, yield scalability and material compatibility are being closely studied through pilot projects and simulation models. INA Solar’s strategy is to be ready for rapid adoption once perovskite-silicon tandem technology achieves commercial maturity, leveraging the flexible foundation already built into its upcoming N-Type TOPCon line.
How will the ALMM List–III impact cost competitiveness, given the limited availability of domestic wafer and ingot suppliers at this stage?
Our inclusion in ALMM List–III enhances INA Solar’s access to government and institutional projects, reinforcing confidence in Indian-made solar modules. However, given the current limited domestic ingot and wafer manufacturing base, there will be some short-term cost pressure due to continued import dependence and associated logistics and forex impacts.
That said, ALMM List–III is proposed to be implemented from June 2028, which provides sufficient lead time for the industry to develop a robust local ecosystem across the value chain, from ingots and wafers to cells and modules. This transition period is a critical enabler for domestic capability building.
In line with this, INA Solar has already initiated discussions with global technology partners for strategic backward integration, with the intent to establish ingot-wafer manufacturing facilities in India. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s “Make in India” and “Made for Global” vision, positioning INA Solar to contribute to a truly self-reliant and globally competitive solar manufacturing ecosystem. Key focus areas for cost competitiveness and ecosystem readiness include:
- Backward integration: Building domestic ingot-wafer capacity to reduce dependence on imports and secure long-term supply stability.
- Multi-sourcing approach: Balancing domestic and international supply to maintain cost flexibility during the transition phase.
- Process and design flexibility: Adapting production lines to accommodate multiple wafer formats and thicknesses with minimal changeover.
- Productivity and cost optimisation: Enhancing line efficiency, automation and yield control to offset upstream material costs.
- Policy collaboration: Engaging with MNRE and industry bodies to promote supportive financial mechanisms and incentives for upstream investments.
By the time ALMM List-III becomes effective in 2028, INA Solar aims to be fully aligned with India’s domestic manufacturing goals, operating as a vertically integrated, high-efficiency solar module manufacturer capable of serving both Indian and global markets.
