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India Solar Cells

India’s Solar Module Production Tops 5,000 Megawatts

written by saurabh

India’s solar module production has crossed 5,000 megawatts according to the latest information shared by manufacturers with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

The total capacity of installed solar module production lines increased from 5,848 megawatts on 30 June 2016 to 8,113 megawatts on 31 December 2016, a 23% increase. The total number of companies into the business of module manufacturing has also increased from 94 to 104 during the six months.

The largest installed capacity of module production line is owned by Mundra Solar, part of the Adani Group. At 1,200 megawatts the company commands a share of 15%. However, Mundra Solar is expected to start production of modules by March this year.

The utilisation of installed capacity has reduced from 74% as on 30 June to 65% as on 31 December 2016. Capacity utilisation could again jump to 80% as soon as Mundra Solar starts production next month.

Encouragingly, three module manufacturers that jointly have the second largest installed production lines for solar modules have 100% capacity utilisation. These are Emmvee Photovoltaics, Vikram Solar and Waaree Energies, each having installed capacity of 500 megawatts.

Solar cell production capacity also increased during these six months from 1,468 megawatts to 2,953 megawatts with Mundra Solar once again making a massive contribution of 1,200 megawatts in the installed capacity. Due to the non-operationalisation of Mundra Solar, the solar cell production could increase from 1,123 megawatts to just 1,448 megawatts by 31 December 2016. The capacity utilisation thus dropped from 76.5% to 49%.

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02/12/2017 0 comment

Renewable Energy

At 1,200 Megawatts, Adani Group Has India’s Largest Solar Cell, Modules Production Line

written by saurabh

Adani Group, one of the leading industrial conglomerates in India, is ready to start production at the country’s largest solar cell and module manufacturing line.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has reported that Mundra Solar, part of the the Adani Group, has commissioned 1,200 megawatts of solar cell and 1,200 megawatts of solar module production line. As per the information shared by the company with the ministry as on 31 December 2016, the production lines are ready but actual production is yet to begin.

The ministry seems to be taking stock of the solar cell and module production capacity every six months now. The last report stated data as on 30 June 2016. Between these six months Mundra Solar managed to add solar cell as well as module production lines.

The solar cell production line installed by Mundra Solar helped India increase the installed capacity from 1,468 megawatts to 2,953 megawatts. The actual capacity in use witnessed a more modest increase from 1,123 megawatts to 1,448 megawatts.

India’s solar module production capacity stands at 8,113 megawatts as on 30 December 2016, up from 5,848 megawatts. Mundra Solar has almost 15% share in this installed capacity.

As reported earlier, Mundra Solar is expected to start production at its facilities by March this year. And by June the company will further increase the production capacity to 2,000 megawatts.

The planned facility will produce polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules. Adani had signed an agreement with SunEdison to set up the largest solar module manufacturing facility in India. The two companies had agreed to invest $4 billion on the project. The joint venture plans fizzled out following SunEdison’s bankruptcy.

The company will reportedly start polysilicon production upto 10,000 tonnes in the third phase.

Modules manufactured at the facility are likely to be absorbed in the company’s own projects and may be sold to other developers in the country and even sold to other markets. Adani Enterprises signed an agreement with the government of Rajasthan to set up 10 GW solar power park.

02/12/2017 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India’s Solar Modules Manufacturing Capacity Jumps 150% In 2 Years

written by saurabh

Following the sharp increase in the installed solar power target announced by the Indian government in 2014, solar cell and module manufacturing companies have significantly increased the production capacities.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy recently released data for the companies active in solar cell and module production in the country, their installed capacity base and utilisation. As on 30 June 2016, India had 20 companies actively involved in solar cell production. As many as 94 companies are manufacturing solar PV modules in the country.

The 20 solar cell companies have a combined annual production capacity of 1,468 MW out of which 1,163 MW capacity (or more than 76%) was being utilised. Three companies – Jupiter Solar, Indosolar and Moser Baer Solar – represent 780 MW, or over 53%, of the total installed production capacity. Four companies – Lanco Solar, Mundra Solar PV (Adani Enterprises), Synergy Solar and Waaree Energies – are believed to be in the process of setting up their production capacities.

Solar cell manufacturing capacity in India has increased from 1,216 MW in June 2014 to 1,468 MW in June 2016. Capacity utilisation in June 2014 was a measly 20% which has increased to 76.5% in June 2016.

Capacity utilisation in solar module manufacturers is also high at around 74%. A total of 94 companies have a cumulative installed production capacity of 6,848 MW solar PV modules per year, of this 4,308 MW capacity is being utilised. Vikram Solar (500 MW), Waaree Energies (500 MW) and Tata Power Solar Systems (300 MW) are the three largest manufacturers of solar PV modules in India representing 23% of the installed capacity; all three also reported 100% utilisation of their production capacity.

Growth in the solar PV module manufacturing capacity has been much greater than that in the solar cell manufacturing sector. From an installed capacity base of 2,348 MW in June 2014, the module manufacturing capacity has increased by nearly three times to 6,848 MW. The capacity utilisation has also increased from 28% to around 74%.

The Indian government is looking to further enhance the domestic solar cell and manufacturing sector. The government is planning financial support package of $3.1 billion to solar power equipment manufacturing sector. The support, possibly in the form capital cost support, could be offered on per MW basis.

10/26/2016 0 comment