India's solar manufacturing push is moving towards deeper vertical integration
Automation, robotics, and BOS solutions gained visibility at REI 2026
ALMM deadlines, equipment supply, and skilled manpower remain concern areas for manufacturers
Every edition of the Renewable Energy India Expo (REI), India’s largest renewable energy show, reflects the growing maturity of India's solar PV industry. While REI 2025 saw manufacturers expanding into cell production, REI 2026 pointed to a shift towards deeper vertical integration and a stronger focus on downstream BOS solutions.
Alongside new products and technologies, conversations on the exhibition floor also revealed concerns about the pace and sustainability of this expansion.
The growing presence of equipment and materials suppliers was a notable feature of REI 2026. Companies across wet-chemical processing, laser processing, screen printing, thermal processing, inspection, sorting, and factory automation showcased solutions for different stages of PV production.
Companies offering cleanroom engineering, HVAC, process utilities, and laboratory infrastructure were also well represented, even though these are less visible parts of a manufacturing facility. Their growing representation reflects the wider range of capabilities available and sought to support India's expanding manufacturing base.
One could see developments in module design, including quarter-cut cells, junction-box configurations, and materials suited to newer module architectures.
In terms of cell technology, TOPCon remained prominent among the cell technologies discussed at the exhibition, while back-contact (BC) designs also attracted attention, continuing the trend from last year (see From Modules to Materials: India’s Solar Industry In Expansion Mode).
Heterojunction (HJT) is not on the radar for most manufacturers in this market, except, of course, Reliance Industries, which plans to build a 20 GW cell and module line. It has already reached over 6 GW of module and close to 5 GW of cell production capacity. The company plans to achieve the 20 GW mark next year.
Automation was another important theme, with equipment suppliers showcasing solutions across different stages of PV production. Inspection, sorting, and automated handling technologies are becoming increasingly relevant as manufacturers seek higher production efficiency, consistent quality, and lower operating costs.
Robotic module cleaning was among the more visible downstream segments. Companies including BECSA, Sol-Bright, SUNPURE, Solar-LIT, and GREENLEAP Robotics presented cleaning solutions, while Premium Motion highlighted a cleaning robot alongside its tracker offering. Aegeus Technologies presented its autonomous rooftop solar panel cleaning robot aiming to ‘democratize’ rooftop panel cleaning across India.
Most solutions focused on automated or waterless cleaning. However, discussions with industry participants suggested that the technology has seen relatively limited fundamental changes in recent years, despite intense competition. TaiyangNews’ conversations on the trade show floors also found that the market is consolidating, with smaller players finding it difficult to compete.
The module bill of materials (BOM) segment covered encapsulants, backsheets, glass, aluminum and composite frames, junction boxes, connectors, cables and metallization consumables.
An interesting observation was the growing competitive potential of Indian component manufacturers, which are expanding horizontally and vertically as they increase capacity to meet demand, position themselves as integrated solution providers, and open new revenue streams. Solar PV glass manufacturer Borosil Renewables, for instance, has ventured into solar module production.
One Chinese junction-box and connector supplier expected Indian companies to become increasingly competitive over the next five years.
The exhibition also featured fixed mounting structures, trackers, solar carports, and other structural solutions. Storage companies, meanwhile, increasingly presented turnkey solutions, as no local battery cell manufacturing capabilities exist yet.
Despite the upbeat atmosphere, discussions revealed concerns about the December 2026 ALMM deadline and its implications for manufacturers. Some industry participants anticipate consolidation as smaller companies struggle to meet compliance requirements and remain competitive. Others may consider contract manufacturing or shift their focus towards exports.
Not every company appeared equally confident about the market outlook. Some exhibitors acknowledged that their participation was driven partly by the need to maintain a market presence rather than strong expectations of immediate business.
Limited domestic cell capacity could also put upward pressure on module prices. Meanwhile, the industry fears China's export controls on certain PV manufacturing equipment could disrupt India's expansion plans, potentially delaying equipment deliveries (see China Proposes Export Curbs On 12 Solar PV Technologies). Manufacturers are exploring European alternatives, although their availability and ability to meet the scale and timelines of Indian demand remain uncertain.
The availability of skilled workers to operate and manage increasingly sophisticated production lines was another recurring concern.
Overall, REI 2026 reflected an Indian solar manufacturing industry that continues to attract investment, technology providers, and international interest. The expansion is creating opportunities across the value chain, from upstream production equipment to downstream solutions. However, translating manufacturing ambitions into sustainable operations will depend on more than installed capacity alone.
TaiyangNews also ran a live blog from the REI 2026 trade floors here.