1366 Planning Solar Manufacturing In India

• 1366 Technologies has planned to locate 2 GW solar wafer and cell manufacturing in India, according to Mint
• The US based next-gen wafer start-up plans to invest $300 million on setting up local Indian production capacity
• The company is currently looking for an Indian partner to handle local module manufacturing and use equipment to set up solar parks in India

India's INR 45 billion Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme seems to be doing the trick to boost domestic PV production, which was the main reason behind introducing the same. Indian business daily Mint has reported US based next-gen silicon wafer company 1366 Technologies plans to set up 2 GW solar wafer and cell production capacity in the country.

Speaking to Mint on the telephone, 1366 Technologies Chief Executive Frank van Mierlo is reported to have said the company is in talks with some Indian firms to handle local module manufacturing, and also use the equipment to set up solar parks in India. For the 2 GW production facility, Breakthrough Energy Ventures backed 1366 Technologies, which has developed a kerfless wafering process, plans to invest $300 million (see US Wafer Producer Raises $18 Million In Series E Round).

The company considers the PLI scheme, along with Basic Customs Duty (BCD) to be imposed on foreign produced solar cells and modules by the Indian government as a positive for the country's domestic PV production demand (see India Imposes Basic Customs Duty On Cells & Modules).

TaiyangNews reached out to 1366 Technologies to confirm the development. Its spokesperson told us, "I can confirm that we are actively exploring manufacturing opportunities in India. Through its recent policy decisions, it is clear that the Indian government has made domestic manufacturing a priority and our technology is particularly well suited for the Indian market. Direct Wafer manufacturing can immediately deliver the lowest cost of electricity in a single junction device for India's domestic utility market and it underpins an economically-feasible, high efficiency, tandem product."

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has invited bids from interested companies to establish at least 1 GW solar PV manufacturing capacity in India under the PLI scheme (see IREDA Launches INR 45 Billion Production Incentive Tender).

In April 2021, solar film producer Power Roll of UK joined hands with Thermax Group to set up its Indian manufacturing base (see Solar Film Manufacturer Wants India Manufacturing).

Even as foreign solar PV manufacturers assess their options to start production in India, Indian manufacturers are accelerating the push to expand their capacities (see India PV News Snippets: AP, Goldi, Jinchen, ACME, Waaree).