Que: Gautam Solar has filed a patent & design registration for innovation in solar panels that reduces the installation cost of solar power plant. Tell us more about the features and advantages of the new solar module.

Ans: We applied for patent & design registration for “Intermesh Frame of Solar Panel” and we have already been granted design registration. This innovative solar panel design consists of two hollow frames, which have laterally extending brackets to provide an interlocking mechanism, with the use of fasteners. The advantages of this design is that the number of fasteners used during solar panel installation are reduced by 50 percent, which leads to lower BOS costs and time taken for installation and commissioning, thus making the installation process easier. In a 1 MWp Solar Plant containing 500 Wp Panels, conventional system design requires 16000 Nuts & Bolts and 32000 Fasteners while Gautam Solar’s innovative system design requires only 8000 Nuts & Bolts and 16000 Fasteners. Apart from this, the problem of water drainage is addressed and the electrical wirings secured to the frame are protected from damage.

Que: What new does Gautam Solar have in store to showcase for Renewable Energy India Expo 2023?

Ans: Gautam Solar is going to have a major presence at Renewable Energy India Expo 2023 where we’ll showcase our high-efficiency N-type TOPCon and Mono PERC Solar Modules. Our Mono PERC Solar Modules have already created a major impact in the Indian Solar Industry, whereas we will showcase our N-type TOPCon Solar Module for the first time in India after getting tremendous response in Europe and US.

Que: Please highlight the technology developments at Gautam Solar that help it carve a niche for itself in the market.

Ans: Gautam Solar has long prided itself on its R&D work, having secured multiple patent and design registrations. This year, we have secured patent design registrations for “Intermesh Frame of Solar Panel” and “Tool for Bussing Process of Solar Panel”. Apart from this, we’re working on indigenous automation machines for use in solar module manufacturing.

In terms of product technologies, our solar panels already incorporate bigger M10 wafers, half-cut cells produced using Non-Destructive Cutting, Multi-Busbar Technology with Round Ribbon Connectors and Bifacial Technology. We’re also among a very few Indian companies to launch the revolutionary N-type TOPCon Solar Modules.

Que: Could you brief us on TOPCon and other emerging technologies in the solar industry? Also, take us through the N-type TOPCon and Mono PERC Solar Modules recently launched by Gautam Solar.

Ans: Although there are many other emerging technologies in the solar industry like HJT,IBC, Perovskite etc., the most significant has been the emergence of TOPCon technology as the industry looks to achieve higher efficiencies to lower the energy generation cost to compete with fossil fuels. TOPCon (Tunnel-Oxide Passivated Contact) is a next-gen technology in which a thin tunneling oxide layer is applied on N-type Silicon Substrate, followed by a layer of highly doped Poly Silicon and Passivated Contacts. The tunnel oxide layer allows charge carriers to pass while minimizing recombination losses. The passivated contacts reduce surface recombination.

Our Mono PERC Solar Modules have maximum efficiency of 21.27 percent and N-type TOPCon modules have maximum efficiency of 22.45 percent. They are both available in 108, 120 and 144 cell variants depending on the requirements of the customers. They are available in Monofacial and Bifacial variants, with the latter generating 10-30 percent extra power from rear end. The N-type TOPCon modules have lower first year (1 percent vs. 2 percent) and year-on-year (0.40 percent vs. 0.55 percent) degradation compared to P-type modules and provide BOS savings of 3.26 percent and LCOE reduction of 1.56 percent.

Que: Gautam Solar has revealed its plans to expand its manufacturing capacity to meet the nation’s growing energy demand. Could you shed some light on the company's current and upcoming projects along with future roadmap?

Ans: We’re currently in the process of expanding our manufacturing capacity to 2 GW, after the recent addition of 500 MWp High Efficiency Automation Solar Module Production Line. This expanded manufacturing capacity will be used to manufacture N-type TOPCon and Mono PERC Solar Modules. We also have ambitious manufacturing plans in the US.

Que: Earlier this year, Gautam Solar partnered with Jinchen to double solar module capacity to 1 GWp. What has been the progress so far? What role is this acquisition projected to play in solidifying your position in the global market?

Ans: The manufacturing expansion is coming along smoothly and the setup of the machinery is likely to conclude by the end of the month in line with the projected timeframe. This acquisition of high-end solar module production line will further solidify our position in the global market, as we begin to export our modules to new markets like US and Europe.

Que: Share your outlook on the government goals and policies for the solar energy sector.

Ans: We are very much aligned with the government net zero goals which include non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030 and reaching Net-Zero by 2070. Not only will this boost the installation of solar plants, it will also play a major role in promoting the manufacturing of solar modules in India.