Gautam Solar to Invest INR 10 Billion in 2GW TOPCon Solar Cell Production Plant in India

Gautam Solar invests INR 10 billion in a 2GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing plant in Haryana, aligning with India’s renewable energy goals and government policies.

Indian solar PV module manufacturer Gautam Solar has announced ambitious plans to establish a 2GW tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell production plant, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy landscape. In the first phase of the project, the company will invest INR 10 billion (US$119 million) to set up the state-of-the-art facility, which aims to bolster India's solar manufacturing capacity and reduce dependency on imports.

Location and Expansion Plans

Gautam Solar has acquired a 60-acre land parcel in Bhiwani, Haryana, to house its 2GW TOPCon plant, though the company is also open to exploring alternative locations. The new plant will complement the company’s existing module assembly plant in Haridwar and an expanding module assembly facility in Bhiwani. Gautam Solar is on track to increase its module production capacity to 3GW by 2024-25 and to 5GW by 2025-26.

Alignment with Government Policies

The announcement comes at a strategic time, shortly after the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) called for comments on its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The ALMM establishes guidelines on which manufacturers can benefit from government subsidies. Gautam Solar's new 2GW solar cell facility is designed to align with these guidelines, ensuring compliance with domestic manufacturing standards and contributing to India's growing emphasis on self-reliance in solar energy production.

The ALMM's new rules regarding the inclusion of solar cells are set to take effect from April 1, 2026, and Gautam Solar’s plant will be built in accordance with these upcoming regulations, positioning the company for long-term success in the industry.

A Leader in Indigenous Solar Manufacturing

Gautam Mohanka, CEO of Gautam Solar, emphasized the company’s long-standing experience and commitment to strengthening domestic solar manufacturing. "Our forthcoming 2GW solar cell manufacturing plant is aligning with MNRE’s guidelines on promoting indigenous manufacturing of solar cells. We have 27+ years of experience in the solar industry, and we are further strengthening our manufacturing by integrating solar cell production into our existing operations," Mohanka said.

India’s Growing Solar Manufacturing Ecosystem

Gautam Solar’s announcement follows a wave of investments in India’s solar manufacturing sector, as other major players, such as the Jakson Group, have also unveiled plans to establish solar cell production plants. Jakson Group recently committed US$240 million to build a 2.5GW TOPCon solar cell plant, further illustrating the growing momentum in India’s renewable energy industry.

As India ramps up its domestic manufacturing capabilities, the country is also accelerating its installed PV capacity. According to Mercom India, the country added 15GW of new PV installations in the first half of 2024, a slight increase over the 12.2GW estimated by JMK Research.