• Local media reports suggest Adani plans to expand its solar cell and module production capacity by 2 GW
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid e-foundation stone for the construction of a 2 GW solar production facility in Gujarat
  • BHEL has issued a tender to procure mono PERC solar cells for which bids from foreign vendors will not be considered

Adani may expand solar PV production capacity by 2 GW: Adani Solar also referred to as Mundra Solar Pvt. Ltd. plans to expand its solar cell and module manufacturing capacity at Mundra in Gujarat by 2 GW, local media quoted the company’s spokesperson to report the development. This ‘large capacity, single location’ plant is likely to come online by 2021, taking its cumulative capacity to 3.5 GW from current capacity of 1.5 GW. The increased capacity, the company explained, will help it expand its exports which currently are limited to the US, Australia and major parts of Europe. It sees opportunity in claiming space from Chinese manufacturers with the Indian government’s push for Make in India.

Adani has won the world’s largest solar award with 8 GW project capacity and 2 GW manufacturing capacity in India in June 2020 (see World’s Largest Solar Award Goes To Adani). Adani’s reported statement follows a recent news by Reuters that claimed the company’s 8 GW solar project capacity has no guaranteed offtakers which may push up financing costs for the company and also undermine investor and lender confidence (see India PV News Snippets: MCGM, RE-Invest 2020, EESL, Adani).

45 MW solar module manufacturing plant: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of a 45 MW solar photovoltaic production facility set to come up in Gujarat. Modi at the 8th convocation of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, e-inaugurated the facility that will produce monocrystalline solar PV panels on completion.

BHEL seeking mono PERC cells: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has issued a tender to procure mono PERC solar cells specifically mentioning that offers from foreign vendors will not be considered. Minimum local content should be 20%, as per the bid request.  Responses to the tender will be accepted till December 7, 2020. Material required has been specified as mono PERC 5BB cells with 5.62 W, 5.44 W, and 5.27 W capacity with varying quantities.