PVTIME – In a significant boost to India’s renewable energy manufacturing landscape, Waaree Energies, a leading Indian solar cell and module manufacturer, has inaugurated a massive 5.4GW cell factory in Gujarat. This state-of-the-art facility now holds the title of India’s largest cell manufacturing base.
Waaree Energies
Located in Chikli, the plant was commissioned in two phases, integrating both PERC and TOPCon technologies. In January, Waaree successfully commissioned a 1.4GW monocrystalline PERC production line. In February, CEO Amit Paithankar announced that the remaining 4GW capacity would be dedicated to TOPCon cell production.
According to data from Mercom India, in the first half of 2024, India will have added a remarkable 11.3GW of module manufacturing capacity and 2GW of cell manufacturing capacity. With projections of exponential growth in cell capacity in the coming years, the industry is on the cusp of a major transformation. As of June 2024, India’s operational cell capacity was a modest 7.6GW. However, as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on Chinese-made cells and wafers, Mercom expects this figure to rise to a staggering 80GW by the end of next year.
The establishment of this factory is testament to India’s growing clout in the global renewable energy arena. Just a few weeks ago, India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued a key directive. Cells using imported wafers, even with locally manufactured components, will lose their ‘locally manufactured’ status and will no longer be eligible for subsidies under the ALMM list.
Interestingly, in January, Waaree – also of Kick – inaugurated a 1.6GW module manufacturing plant in Texas. Much like India, the US has increased its focus on domestic clean energy production. From former President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods, the trend towards local manufacturing is clear.
While Waaree has yet to announce whether its new cells will be destined for US or Indian module production, its double-front strategy of expanding capacity in these two key markets is certainly a development to watch. As the renewable energy race heats up globally, Waaree’s moves could have far-reaching implications for both India and the US in the clean energy supply chain. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
