TaiyangNews Head of Technology Shravan Chunduri sat down for an exclusive conversation with the Chief Business Officer of Premier Energies Limited, Vinay Rustagi, at the Renewable Energy India Expo 2025 (REI 2025) held in Greater Noida recently.
Rustagi said his company sees strong long-term growth opportunities in India’s solar sector, driven by rapidly rising energy demand and government policies promoting renewable energy and domestic manufacturing. Annual solar capacity additions in India have accelerated sharply in recent years, supported by schemes such as PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM, and market reforms, alongside measures like PLI, BCD, and ALMM that encourage local production, he added.
The company’s strategy focuses on 3 core pillars: scale, vertical integration, and technology. Premier aims to reach around 10 GW of fully integrated manufacturing capacity – from ingots and wafers to cells and modules – by 2028, with cell and module capacity nearing 11 GW as early as next year, shared Rustagi.
He explained that vertical integration is now seen as essential to reduce supply chain risks, manage costs, and maintain quality, while scale enables efficiency, investment in skills, and adoption of advanced technologies.
Rustagi admitted that manufacturers are cautious when selecting a technology due to fast-changing innovation cycles and high capital costs. He added that Premier Energies committed to TOPCon only after market clarity emerged on its cost and efficiency advantages.
Rustagi emphasized that the company continues to evaluate future options such as back-contact and perovskite technologies through global partnerships.
On R&D, the company seeks collaboration with academic institutions and government programs, focusing on commercialization and scaling rather than early-stage laboratory research. Drawing lessons from global leaders, particularly China, Rustagi said sustained investment, integration, and technological focus are key to becoming a competitive, long-term player in the global clean energy industry.
