Que: Gautam Solar is doubling its solar module manufacturing capacity to 2 GW and targeting 5 GW at the upcoming factory in Bhiwani. Can you provide insights into the company's expansion plans and the significance of the Bhiwani unit in achieving these goals?

Ans: We are expanding our manufacturing capacity to 2 GW, the first phase of which will be operational by April 2024 and the entire capacity will begin production in December 2024. Additionally, we aim to achieve 5 GW at the upcoming factory in Bhiwani, for which we have set a tentative target of FY25-26. The upcoming Bhiwani unit is significant in achieving these goals as we have acquired 50 acres of land. Since we already have the know-how and the land in place, it is only a matter of growing our market to achieve the expansion goals.

Que: Gautam Solar has achieved ALMM approval for its 10BB Mono PERC Solar Panel series and is now ranked among the Top 10 Indian solar module manufacturers. How do these achievements impact the company's standing in the solar module supply market?

Ans: We became one of the earliest Solar Panel Manufacturers to be enlisted in ALMM for our 10BB Mono PERC Solar Panel series. It gave a boost to our already growing sales, and we are now ranked among the Top 10 Indian solar module manufacturers. This has elevated our standing in the solar module supply market and helped us reach record turnover. Additionally, it also won numerous awards, showcasing the admiration received from within the industry as well.

Que: The company has obtained patent design registrations for a new solar module frame and a tool used during the bussing process of solar modules. Could you highlight the unique features of these patented innovations and their impact on production efficiency?

Ans: The new solar module frame design consists of a primary and secondary frame with a hollow structure, each equipped with lateral brackets and grooves for interlocking. The frames secure the panel, and the brackets efficiently mesh during operation. It reduces the number of fasteners used in the installation by 50 percent, not only saving time and cost but also streamlining the installation process.

Additionally, we also secured design patent for “Tool for Bussing Process of Solar Panel”. This tool reduces the amount of manual work by over 50%, thereby doubling solar panel production capacity and does so at a fraction of the cost of automatic machine. It also reduces warpage, breakage and thermal stress on cells and minimizes human errors.

Que: The company is exporting TOPCon and Mono PERC solar panels to the US. What opportunities and challenges does Gautam Solar foresee in the international market, especially with the certifications obtained for these modules?

Ans: We are looking to export our high-efficiency TOPCon and Mono PERC Solar panels to the US. For any Indian company looking to export to the US, certification is a crucial aspect to consider. With our automatic robotic production line, selection of quality raw materials and overall quality control process, we secured certifications for our panels as per UL & IEC standards, thereby reaffirming Gautam Solar’s commitment to excellence in manufacturing. We’re now working on the logistics side of things, including distributor deals in various regions.

The opportunity is huge for Indian made panels to fill the vacuum in the US, created due to the imposition of anti-dumping duty on Chinese solar modules and American solar manufacturing not quite being ready for the huge demand of solar.

Que: How does Gautam Solar view the Indian solar industry in 2024, considering the Net Zero initiative, and renewable energy targets set by the government?

Ans: At Gautam Solar, we were already optimistic for the Indian solar industry in 2024 due to India’s targets of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2070 and achieving 500 GW in non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030 but the recent spotlight on solar industry due to the government’s announced scheme ‘Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana’ of installing rooftop solar plants on 1 crore households will stimulate the growth of rooftop solar, which has been lagging compared to utility scale projects. Additionally, it will give a significant boost to Indian module manufacturing, especially with ALMM set to be reinstated in April 2024.

Que: As a female leader in the solar industry, how do you see the role of women in shaping the future of renewable energy?

Ans: As a female leader in the solar industry, I see women playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of renewable energy. Women bring diverse viewpoints to the table, inculcating innovation and driving forward-looking solutions. Women are more likely to face adverse effects of climate change and global warming, so the participation of women in the renewable energy sector becomes all the more important as renewable energy is a cornerstone in the journey to sustainability.