Tata Power’s TP Solar has commissioned a 2 GW solar cell production line in Tamil Nadu
It is planned to be expanded by another 2 GW capacity over the next few weeks
The site also hosts its solar module production capacity that has been operational since October 2023
The new fab is equipped to produce TOPCon and mono PERC solar cells and modules
Indian solar cell and module manufacturer TP Solar Ltd., a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL), has commissioned a 2 GW solar cell production line in Tirunelveli in the State of Tamil Nadu, calling it India’s largest single-location solar cell and module plant. TP Solar said this integrated factory is run by women who account for 80% of the workforce.
The Tirunelveli plant will add another 2 GW capacity over the next 4 to 6 weeks, to reach peak production within the next few months.
The module manufacturing line on location began operations in October 2023 and has produced 1.25 GW of modules to date, shared the company. With a total 4.3 GW of solar cell and module production capacity, the facility is equipped with advanced TOPCon and mono PERC technology. In 2022, it had signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to establish 4 GW of solar cell and module capacity each in the Tirunelveli district (see Tata Power’s 8 GW Solar Manufacturing Plan).
The company counts to have invested INR 43 billion ($512 million) in the project with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) lending up to $425 million (see US Funding For Solar PV Manufacturing In India).
TP Solar said that the initial solar cells and modules produced at the Tamil Nadu fab will cater to its ongoing projects; however, it will later explore the wider market distribution for the same. It claims to have a 20% market share in the country’s rooftop solar and utility-scale segments, and with the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, it expects the same to expand.
“The commencement of cell production at our Tirunelveli plant is a significant step towards indigenisation in the solar value chain and achieving self-sufficiency,” said Tata Power CEO and MD Dr. Praveer Sinha.
The manufacturer expects its solar cells to make it to the government’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for indigenous solar cells (see India Invites Public Consultation On ALMM For Solar PV Cells).
In addition to the Tamil Nadu plant, Tata Power also operates a manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka with 682 MW solar module and 530 MW solar cell capacity.