Swelect Plans 500 MW Of Solar Cell Production Soon

Swelect Plans 500 MW Of Solar Cell Production Soon

Tamil Nadu-based solar module manufacturer Swelect Energy is set to commence solar cell production soon. This move aligns with several other solar module makers venturing into solar cell manufacturing, following the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) proposal to implement the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells from June 2026. The policy aims to curb the use of Chinese solar cells in domestic module production.

Uday Kamath, Vice President (Sales) at Swelect Energy, told Saur Energy that the company plans to establish a 500 MW solar cell manufacturing facility. This expansion complements its ongoing efforts to scale up solar module production.

Expanding Module Capacity 

“Currently, our total solar module manufacturing capacity stands at 1 GW. We plan to add another 1 GW and simultaneously establish a 500 MW solar cell production line. This roadmap will unfold over the next year. Additionally, we aim to expand our Balance of System (BoS) production by 500 MW,” Kamath stated at Inter Solar in Gandhinagar.

However, he emphasized that the immediate priority remains on increasing module production. “While we plan to enter solar cell manufacturing in the coming year, our primary focus is on scaling up solar module production. With more players joining the market, self-reliance will gain traction, gradually reducing India’s dependence on China,” he added.

Kamath highlighted that as more domestic solar cell manufacturers emerge, India can reduce its reliance on imports, particularly from China.

Strong Indian Solar Cell Market 

“Currently, nearly 95% of the solar cells used in India are imported from China. Increasing domestic production will enhance energy security and reduce import dependence. However, setting up a solar cell manufacturing facility requires nearly five times the investment of a module production unit, making it a challenging business model to sustain,” he noted.

Kamath also pointed out that solar deployments in India are on the rise, driven by evolving corporate priorities such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance and carbon market dynamics.

“The solar industry has witnessed remarkable growth. While it took over a century for initial adoption, the last few years have seen rapid expansion, spurred by growing awareness, stringent ESG regulations, and carbon compliance mandates. As corporations work toward sustainability goals, solar energy is becoming a critical solution for reducing carbon footprints and leveraging carbon credit markets, further accelerating adoption,” he concluded.