As energy market dynamics unfold globally, reinforcing the importance of becoming self-sufficient in energy generation and manufacturing, solar PV is gaining prominence in the Indian government's scheme of things which can safely be attributed as one of the reasons for this technology attracting big crowds at the Renewable Energy India Expo 2022 (REI 2022).
Being held at Greater Noida in India's Uttar Pradesh state from September 28, 2022 to September 30, 2022, the REI 2022 is back in its original avatar after 2 years of COVID-19 related restrictions.
The government push to manufacturing with the help of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), among other measures, is instilling confidence in the local industry. This time at the REI 2022, it is interesting to see the presence of not just big players like Reliance Industries Limited's (RIL) REC Solar along with dominant Chinese companies, but even smaller manufacturers making their presence felt. And not just in module manufacturing alone, but also in ancillary industries. As many companies are moving and considering solar silicon to module manufacturing in India, companies along the entire value chain are presenting at the show.
Speaking with TaiyangNews, some of the industry players shared their views about how REI 2022 points at the growing attention to solar PV technology in the country.
Vertically integrated solar PV manufacturer RenewSys India Pvt Ltd is quite happy with the start. The company's Senior Officer Corporate Communications Seema Khatavkar reflected that technology enthusiasts are coming up in droves to understand the company's manufacturing processes. "While we are getting many queries businesswise, it is exciting to see how people in India are more aware about solar PV technology and want to know more about it," she explained.
Indian solar module maker Gautam Solar that operates a 400 MW annual production facility in Haridwar, Uttarakhand and plans to expand to 1 GW attributes the growing interest in solar PV to the encouraging policies of the Government of India. Gautam Solar's Director Nidhi Mohanka cites Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) and Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on imported cells and modules as some such measures.
"The growth of solar PV industry in India will always be aligned with the market demand precisely because it is such a capital-intensive industry. Right now, in India the demand is growing hence module makers like us are expanding too. With government incentives, the growth will only be accelerated which is the need of the hour," added Mohanka.
The Indian presence of French floating solar PV company Ciel et Terre is confident of its business growing to GW level in the near future. Ciel et Terre India's Head Projects and Engineering Karanam Sai Kiran shared, "Most water bodies in India come under the control of the government which is where the opportunity is. We have supplied our technology to many such projects of public sector entities. Now, there is growing interest for floating solar among private players, including steel manufacturers where water is used for cooling purposes." He added, "Going by the way the queries are pouring in at the show, we are quite confident of its scope expanding further in India."
While the global market leading Chinese module and inverter makers are present at the show, there seem to be more Indian solar companies exhibiting at this edition. Both protection measures and China's Zero Covid Policy, which makes traveling very cumbersome, are the likely reasons for fewer Chinese companies and hardly any Chinese visitors at the show. However, a few western companies are exhibiting, among others inverter companies, like SMA. Also, several foreign production equipment companies – from both China and Europe – are presenting their products attracted by the quickly expansing Indian manufacturing sector.
That's one day gone and 2 more to go. The TaiyangNews team will be on ground zero to bring to you all the action and development here at REI 2022. Please get in touch – and pick a copy of our HJT and Cell Production Equipment Reports, which we distribute at the show.