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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