There has Been Significant Uptick in Demand for Solar Products: Jatin Patel

I believe that there has been a significant increase in demand for solar energy products. Particularly due to the increasing awareness of the benefits of solar-powered products, affordability and abundance of solar companies in India. The introduction of refined government policies has left a fundamental impact on India’s solar market, by increasing the affordability and awareness of solar-based products throughout India, says Jatin Patel, Managing Director, Banga Solar. In conversation with Manu Tayal, Associate Editor, Saur Energy International, Patel shared his views on various topics related to his company’s latest product offerings, current market scenario for solar products etc. Here’re the excerpts from that exclusive interview published in the Saur Energy International Magazine’s September 2019 edition:

Q. Tell us about Banga Solar and its various product offerings for the solar industry.

Banga Solar is an Indian owned leading wholesaler of solar products. Focused entirely on the distribution of residential and commercial solar photovoltaic products. We deliver quality, reputable solar brands coupled with superior customer services. Our customer network is located in every state and territory of India.

We have wide range of products Including Solar PV Panels, Solar Inverters, ACDB, DCDB, Solar Cables, MC4 Connectors, Solar Water Pump.

Q. Do you focus on India made brands or look beyond India? Any particular criteria?

Banga solar primarily focuses on the distribution of high quality local products and brands to support local manufactures and companies. In addition, we also offer a wide range of international products, to further increase the diversity of our products, brands and ensure cost efficiency as well as keeping up with newest technology. In particular, we hold the master franchise for distribution of the internationally recognised Solis Inverters brand across India.

Additionally, Banga Solar is acknowledged as the sole dealer for Adani Modules in Maharashtra and Goa regions. As well as a major distributor of Suntree products, in particular electrical components. Moreover, we have our own manufacturing facility to customise ACDB, DCDB.

Q. Out of your products list, what is the share of India manufactured products?

Out of our total products, we estimate approximately 60 percent of our products are made in India for distribution. Considering that solar modules are a core component of our product list and primarily purchased from domestic companies.

Q. Do you sell to developers directly or retail segment too? Any regional strengths? Expansion plans for the future?

Our company vision is not just to remain as a typical ‘box mover’ catering to only a portion of our customers’ needs but instead it is to become a complete solutions provider. Therefore, our core focus is in the distribution of our products to developers directly, customer satisfaction and the committed resourcefulness of our local technical support. We have warehousing facilities in multiple states across India that ensure on time delivery of goods. Our access to various warehouses spread across major states in India allows us to do this. We are proud to say that our facilities are located in Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, UP, Karnataka, Maharashtra.

In addition, to further expand our reach Banga Solar invites distributors and contractors for the local supply of goods and services. In particular, by appointing dealers throughout India to make sure a wide spread market reach.

Q. Based on your past experience, do you find any difference in demand for solar products in recent years?

Definitely. I believe that there has been a significant increase in demand for solar energy products. Particularly due to the increasing awareness of the benefits of solar-powered products, affordability and abundance of solar companies in India. The introduction of refined government policies has left a fundamental impact on India’s solar market, by increasing the affordability and awareness of solar-based products throughout India.

We are quite thankful to our Prime Minister and his team for their continued efforts in India’s transition towards cleaner energy, in particular the residential rooftop policy. Quite frankly, we have witnessed many positive effects in the solar industry and these include growth in market size, competitiveness in the solar market as well as environmental benefits to our nation.

Q. What are the kinds of after sales services do you provide to customers?

The key to any successful business is customer satisfaction for the services and products provided by the business. We have well experienced teams setup whose primary objective is after sales service. To keep up with the competitive solar market in India, we have a well-trained team available 24 x 7 for telephonic after sales services. If further required, Banga Solar, accommodates more than 20 technical specialists in the field who are available all over India for local support.

To cater to immediate needs of our customers, our local replacement stocks are available in our various warehouses located throughout India. Additionally, we keep a detailed record of our services via our efficient tracking system that aims to ensure timely closure of customer query.

Q. Do you believe distributed solar products such as heaters, cookers or lamps will see a boom with the drop in prices and improvement in battery technology? Do they offer an opportunity to meet overall solar targets?

I strongly believe that any type of green energy plays a vital role in the development of a country. As we know, solar is a sustainable source of clean energy and any product connected with solar helps to meet overall solar targets. Definitely an increase in the diversity and abundance of solar products will play a significant role in the future of our technology.

Decrease in prices and overall improvement in solar energy storage solutions will be a major contributing factor towards this change. ‘Beyond the limits’, our company motto, is what we all live by and believe in and I also believe that we can witness this transition and boom towards a cleaner tomorrow.