Viz-A-Viz with Ramesh Nair, CEO | Mundra Solar PV Ltd

Q. Adani Mundra Solar recently made their first 5BB modules in the company’s module production line using their own cells. When do you plan to change the whole production to 5BB? How important is this step for the company?

The Adani Group is strongly focused on clean energy technologies and solar remains an integral part of this strategy. We expect the mass production to commence from September 2017. This transition is in line with Adani’s technology road map, towards increasing efficiencies. We aim to achieve above 2 GW of solar installed capacity by the end of this year making the company the largest solar player in India’s renewable energy sector in various states. With 1.2 GW state-of-the-art PV module capacity, our recent facility is the India’s largest cell and module manufacturing facility and is in line with the governments ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Q. According to reports Solar modules and solar photovoltaic cells from the house of Adani Group developed under Make in India initiative would cost higher than the imported version. How are you planning to compete with the Chinese players with higher price tag?

Costs of production is closely related to volume of production. The higher the volume of production – lower is production costs. However, we are certain that our cost reduction roadmap puts us in line to match Chinese manufacturing costs by next year. We are also expecting governmental support to level the playing field with other global players.

Q. What percent of modules and cells will be exported from the manufacturing plant in next two years?

Our sales strategy is flexible and therefore caters to international demand depending on the needs of the market. However, we are qualitatively and quantitatively well-placed to cater to any international demand.

Q. Shed some light on the state of the art R&D Infrastructure and new technologies that Adani is currently working on. What percent of the revenue does the company put into R&D?

Our team consists of several qualified industry professionals. Our R&D and testing facility is one of the best of its kind in India, equipped with world-class equipment. Adani is investing a significant amount into these capabilities and remains committed towards developing advanced technologies like Bi-facial, cut cells, etc.

Q. Early August this year MNRE proposed for 7.5 GW of solar to be developed using domestically manufactured solar cells and modules during the second phase of its CPSU program. DO you think this program will help revival of domestic solar manufacturing, which is facing intense competition from Chinese module manufacturer?

The plan is welcomed by all Indian manufacturers and provides us encouragement to remain competitive. A coordinated effort from the government will lead to successful implementation of this program.

Q. In the wake of pushing the solar generation capacity and the achievements of low tariffs, have we failed to efficiently support our domestic manufacturing? Is the antidumping suit filed by ISMA only way to support the home grown manufacturers?

We feel that overtly relying on imports to fulfill the nation’s 100GW solar installation targets, and dumping from the Asian manufacturers have led to non-sustainable lower prices in solar. The government can support domestic manufacturing by providing manufacturing incentives and various other schemes to assist manufacturers.

Q. Adani is selling multi-crystalline, mono-crystalline and dual glass modules, what type of demand you see for mono and dual glass modules in the country and abroad.

The market is currently shifting to higher efficiency products, which can be satisfied with mono/mono PERC and bifacial modules depending on the category of installation. The demand has already started picking up internationally – India will follow soon.

Q. We would like to know more about products manufactured by adani.

Adani’s facility is the India’s largest solar PV cell & module manufacturing plant. The facility has created employment for more than 2500 people. The state-of-the-art plant is an integrated manufacturing facility for PV cells & modules and will manufacture premier, high performance solar PV cells & modules in India. Apart from conventional polycrystalline module, the facility shall manufacture high efficiency Mono PERC module, with 15% higher efficiency, first of its kind to be manufactured in India. The integrated plant shall also manufacture Bifacial module, with efficiencies higher up to 30%, to cater to ever increasing demand of technologically advanced rooftop solutions. The plant also has capacity to manufacture glass to glass modules and customised size modules.