New Delhi-based solar module manufacturer Gautam Solar has announced a foray into solar cell manufacturing by investing ₹10 billion (~$119.4 million) in a 2 GW solar cell facility.

The company aims to include its solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

The company plans to manufacture N-type TopCon technology solar cells at the proposed facility.

Gautam Solar said the solar cell facility will address the growing demand for domestic content requirement (DCR) panels, a requisite for government-backed subsidy projects that mandate locally manufactured components.

Mercom earlier reported how India’s ambitious push for solar energy is facing a significant hurdle from a shortage of domestically produced solar modules.

The company has secured a 60-acre land parcel in Bhiwani, Haryana, to manufacture solar panels and raw materials.

This expansion complements the company’s existing solar module manufacturing plant in Haridwar and the upcoming module manufacturing expansion in Bhiwani.

Gautam Mohanka, CEO of Gautam Solar, said, “Our forthcoming 2 GW solar cell manufacturing plant is aligning with MNRE’s guidelines on promoting indigenous manufacturing of solar cells. We are further strengthening our manufacturing by integrating solar cell production into our existing operations.”

Last year, the company announced plans to expand its annual solar module manufacturing capacity to 2 GW by 2024. According to Mercom India’s Research, the company’s current total production capacity is 1 GW, consisting of 150 MW for multicrystalline, 700 MW for monocrystalline, and 150 MW for bifacial modules, with 710 MW of this capacity listed under the ALMM.

According to Mercom’s State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2024 report, India added 20.8 GW of solar module capacity and 3.2 GW of solar cell capacity in 2023.