GPES Strengthens Board With Key Leadership Inductions

GP Eco Solutions, the Noida-based solar and storage solutions firm that listed on the SME Exchange earlier this year, has moved to strengthen its board with the induction of three industry stalwarts in the form of KS Popli, AK Jain and UN Tripathi.

Popli retired as Chairman and Managing Director at IREDA in 2019, after a successful 5 year tenure. He currently serves as an advisor to International Solar Alliance, beside a number of other organisations, which include Solar manufacturing firm Insolation Energy and diversified solar EPC player Gensol Engineering.

Dr. A.K. Jain  is the Former Managing Director, Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd (REIL) with over 40 years in electronics, energy, and electric mobility.  Besides REIL, a Mini-Ratna PSU crucial in advancing electronic and renewable solutions for rural and industrial growth in India,  he has led groundbreaking solar and e-mobility initiatives under the FAME India scheme. At GPES, Dr. Jain will accelerate growth in clean energy and smart technology, driving innovation across urban and rural sectors.

The third inductee is Upendra Nath Tripathi, whose last major assignment was at SIDBI as Deputy General manager on Mumbai Tripathi brings with him experience of funding microfinance projects and firms.

The three of them bring in a wealth of experience with funding, project appraisals, and exposure to the solar sector for the Deepak Pandey led GPES to benefit from. They also join at a time when quality independent boards are expected to play a key role in supporting the growth of many solar firms that have hit the public markets, including the SME and main boards. For GPES, whose stock has performed well ever since its listing, the expanded board brings in both knowledge and credibility. Expect to see more such announcements from solar firms in the future.

The company has much to look ahead in the coming months, thanks to its investments and experience with energy storage technologies, where it sees tremendous growth potential in the coming quarters. While the rise of energy storage has been evident in the trajectory of tenders this year with almost 25% large tenders having a storage component linked to Hybrid , RTC or FDRE tenders, storage even in the C&I segment and going ahead, residential segment, is expected to play an increasingly larger role thanks to a drop in costs. The possible implementation of time of day (TOD) billing starting 2025-26 will only provide further fillip to the push.