Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in India, has taken a step towards sustainability by installing a 600 kW rooftop solar power system at one of its facilities in Uttarakhand.

The rooftop solar system is spread across 56,000 sq ft and connected to the grid. It is designed to supply a significant portion of the daily electricity requirements. Currently, the system provides approximately 70–80% of the facility’s energy consumption. While this level of coverage is expected to change over time due to expansion and increased energy needs, it already plays a major role in reducing reliance on conventional electricity.

Akums estimates an annual savings of over ₹5 million (~$58,055) in electricity bills from the solar installation. This projection is based on an average of five hours of daily sunlight.

Vinod Kumar Singh, Project Head, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, noted that the installation process was completed on schedule with minimal disruption to daily operations. According to the project team, the installer met the industrial project’s safety and quality standards. Since commissioning, the system has operated as expected, consistently generating electricity and reducing the company’s use of grid power.

Akums reported minimal downtime and few technical issues. Minor maintenance problems, such as dust accumulation on panels or temporary weather-related disruptions, have been addressed quickly by the internal maintenance team and support staff from the installer. Regular inspections and monitoring ensure early identification and resolution of any issues.

Solar panel cleaning is carried out every three to six months. Inverters, wiring, and other components are inspected quarterly or annually. The company also monitors energy output using remote tools and on-site inspections.

In the pharmaceutical industry, clean room environments require uninterrupted power supply to maintain controlled temperature, humidity, and air quality conditions. Any disruption can affect product quality and lead to production losses. Akums uses backup power systems such as generators and UPS units to ensure clean rooms are not affected during power outages. Adding solar power increases stability and reduces pressure on the primary grid connection.

The company is not using government subsidies, incentives, or net metering benefits for this solar installation. However, it remains open to evaluating these options in the future.

Akums has not yet integrated energy storage solutions into the solar system. However, the company is assessing the potential of adding battery storage to improve energy reliability during periods of low sunlight and further reduce grid dependence.

Sandeep Jain, Managing Director and Founder of Akums, stated, “The successful commissioning of our rooftop solar power project is a significant step towards our path to sustainability. This project will assist in lowering energy expenses, reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting a greener tomorrow.”

Akums runs 15 manufacturing units and five research and development facilities.

With low interest rates, government-backed subsidies, and streamlined digital processing, there has never been a better time for companies to invest in solar energy. By adopting solar power, businesses can cut electricity costs and benefit from going green. In the next Mercom India C&I Clean Energy Meet in Mumbai on April 17, 2025, clean energy solution experts will be providing free consultations on the most lucrative ways of procuring renewable energy to reduce monthly electricity bills.

Contact us if you plan to install solar and need guidance or vendor recommendations.