Image: Involt Energy
Solar technology manufacturer Involt Energy has officially broken ground on its first solar cell manufacturing facility in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The new plant will have an initial annual nameplate capacity of 1.78GW and represents a key milestone in the company's strategic expansion.
According to Involt Energy, the state-of-the-art facility will be fully automated, incorporating AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) systems and tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology to produce next-generation N-type solar cells.
Darshit Bhoraniya, Managing Director of Involt Energy, shared that construction is expected to be completed within 14 to 18 months. Equipment procurement and installation are scheduled between late 2025 and early 2026, with trial production slated for Q2 2026 and full-scale commercial operations expected by mid-2026.
Localized Value Chain and Future Expansion
This comes at a time when the industry is facing a shortage of DCR panels, especially for government scheme-related projects under PM Surya Ghar Yojana and PM Kusum Yojana.
Bhoraniya emphasized that the company's phased strategy focuses on building a robust local value chain, beginning with the production of advanced N-type TOPCon solar cells in Phase 1. In Phase 2, the company plans to integrate wafer manufacturing with a nameplate capacity of 3GW, aiming to improve quality control, lower costs, and enhance supply chain resilience.
“India’s solar industry is growing rapidly, yet much of the supply chain still relies heavily on imported cells and wafers,” Bhoraniya explained. “Our strategy not only supports the Make in India initiative but also strengthens national energy security.”
He noted that in 2023, approximately 346GW of global solar capacity was installed, and Indian module manufacturers saw significant growth to meet both local and international demand.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Involt Energy anticipates generating significant local employment opportunities through the project. Phase 1 is expected to create over 2,100 direct jobs, while Phase 2 will add around 1,200 direct and over 3,000 indirect jobs, contributing to regional economic growth and skills development.
While the project is not currently receiving support from India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Bhoraniya expressed optimism about accessing government incentives in the future.
“The inclusion of solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) starting in 2026 is one of the drivers behind this expansion. However, our investment in solar cell and wafer manufacturing is part of a larger strategic vision for long-term sustainability and competitiveness,” he said.
