Indian solar manufacturers go big on high-output modules

Adani Solar will start the commercial production of 540Wp mono PERC modules by November end. It further plans to launch 640Wp modules by March 2023.

Currently, the company has a 1.5 GW manufacturing capacity for polycrystalline cells and modules, which it is expanding to 3.5 GW with the addition of another 2 GW capacity equipped to handle high-output modules.

Cecil Augustine, head-retail, Adani Solar, told pv magazine, “The 2 GW addition will be operational by November end this year. It will be equipped to produce bifacial and mono PERC modules with peak output of 540W. The company plans to start producing 640Wp modules by the end of the next fiscal year.

With the existing 1.5 GW, Adani Solar claims 70% of the overall cell manufacturing capacity in India. The capacity produces polycrystalline modules with individual output of 340Wp.

Premier Energies, which currently has 1.25 GW module and 0.75 MW cell capacity, is showcasing 166mm mono PERC modules with peak output of 445W, and 182mm mono PERC modules with 540Wp output.

“The efficiency of 445Wp modules ranges from 20.5% to 20.9%, and for 540Wp modules 20.9-21.5%. The company plans on launching bifacial modules soon,” Amit Magnani, vice president-business development, Premier Energies, told pv magazine.

Jakson is showcasing its Helia series modules with an output of 600Wp. The modules are developed using M10 half-cut mono PERC cells. Combined with multi-busbar technology and high-density interconnections, these achieve efficiency of over 21%.

Currently, Jakson has a module capacity of 600 MW per annum, which it is scaling to 1 GW. The facility is equipped to produce Helia series modules in both monofacial and bifacial versions, ranging from 440Wp to 600Wp.

Vikas Singh, deputy director for sales and marketing at China’s Jinchen Machinery told pv magazine that out of 10 GW of its production line ordered by Indian manufacturers, equipment for 3 GW are already installed and have started production. It shall deliver the remaining 7 GW of equipment within six months.

Some EPC installers are also in talks with Jinchen to source its machinery as they plan to make their own modules. Singh expects to freeze one or two orders from EPC players within this month.