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					</table>In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Gaurav Mathur, India Head at <a href="https://www.trinasolar.com/us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trina Solar</a>, talks about how the growing demand from the commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) segment consumers for higher efficiency modules has increased the sales for most manufacturers.
Trina Solar was among the top solar module suppliers to India in the calendar year 2022, according to <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-leaderboard-2023-market-shares-and-profiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom’s India Solar Market Leaderboard 2023</a>.
Mathur talks about the company’s plan to introduce new products, such as its n-type solar modules and AI-based smart tracker system in India.
He also dwells on the importance of amending the Approved List of Models and Modules regulation to allow global players to participate in the domestic solar industry so that higher module prices would not impede the adoption of solar.
Here are some of the excerpts from the interview.-
Could you share an overview of Trina Solar&#8217;s business in India? How much of your business is focused on large-scale projects compared to C&amp;I?
Trina Solar is an international company that has been in business for 26 years. We have been synonymous with solar modules, but in recent years, we have expanded into the design and manufacture of trackers and energy storage systems, in line with our new market positioning as a total solutions provider for smart energy.  We entered India in 2010, and since then, we have shipped close to 9 GW of solar modules.
This year, we have signed agreements worth over 1 GW, boosting our market share, especially in the utility-scale segment. We recently concluded a project with a leading solar company in India supplying modules worth 160 MW.
Having said that, our business in the commercial and industrial segment is gaining traction. There is an increased demand for our solar modules, not just from large companies but also from micro to small-medium enterprises. The textile industry is a notable example. We are providing solar modules to some of the industry’s biggest players but also to very small businesses in this sector.
The Vertex DE21 module series has been successful in India due to its higher power bin in the market. These modules, based on our latest 210 technology, deliver a lower levelized cost of energy and help to reduce businesses’ dependence on the grid.
This year, we will be launching our first n-type solar PV modules and the second-generation Vanguard 2P tracker system. Our ‘smart tracker,’ which uses real-time data and artificial intelligence, is a ‘game changer.’
Solar module technologies are evolving quickly. What technology trends do you see taking hold going forward? What proprietary technologies is Trina developing?
The market is migrating to n-type i-TOPCon technology. The i-TOPCon, also known as the industrial tunnel oxide passivated contact technology, increases the solar cell’s efficiency.
A PERC solar cell paired with an ultra-thin tunneling oxide layer adds another barrier to contain unabsorbed light, increasing cell efficiency. Higher efficiency modules allow the panel to harvest more energy per unit area. i-TOPCon modules also have an 80% bi-faciality rate. Our Vertex N modules are powered by i-TOPCon technology.
Besides i-TOPCon, another key trend is the use of bi-facial modules coupled with trackers. India used to be a fixed-tilt market because mono-facial modules were cheaper. However, it has been proven that the additional energy gained from the back of the module provides a greater return on investment.
Another key trend is the growing popularity of n-type i-TOPCon cells. Generally, n-type cells are more durable. By the end of this year, we envision our cell capacity to reach 75 GW, including 40 GW of n-type cells, all of which are equipped with our n-type i-TOPCon Advanced technology.
The global solar industry is also working to standardize the size of modules to make it easier for the customer and to bring the industry closer together to drive collaborative research and development. Trina Solar is famous for leading the standardization of module size to a 2,384*1,134 mm format. This format size, referred to colloquially as ‘golden size’ modules, helps to boost performance dramatically. It also reduces the balance of system costs and the levelized cost of electricity because more modules can fit on each tracker.
How are Indian solar manufacturers coping against the competition with their Chinese counterparts in your view? And with the PLI capacity being developed now, can they match up with them?
As a global player in solar PV manufacturing, we believe that programs such as the production-linked incentive (PLI) will be impactful for Indian solar panel manufacturers in setting up plants of global-scale capacity to manufacture highly efficient modules – at par with international standards – resulting in economies of scale, facilitating widespread solar adoption in the market.
With the ALMM regulation now suspended, what is the impact on the supply-demand situation for imported modules in India? How do you see this change after the regulation takes effect once again?
The stay on the ALMM mandate is expected to positively impact India’s renewable energy sector, allowing the domestic manufacturing capabilities and capacities to grow and match the consumption and demand.
In the long run, we believe that for India to reach energy goals by 2030, policies around the solar industry, such as ALMM, should be amended. The implementation of such policies may create a demand-supply gap due to over-reliance on local production – making it challenging for developers to execute solar projects. For example, developers demand 500W+ modules for higher efficiency and cost reduction. But only about 3 GW of ALMM listed modules meet this requirement.
Also, allowing global players to participate in the domestic solar industry will ensure that for a price-conscious market such as India, the challenge of higher module prices would not become an impediment to the widespread adoption of solar energy.
Does Trina Solar consider enlisting in the ALMM or starting a new manufacturing facility in India anytime soon, as it is the company&#8217;s largest market in the APAC region? If not, how does it plan to continue supplying after the ALMM regulation comes into play?
We have applied for our inclusion in the ALMM, and we await approvals from the government. However, at the moment, we have no plans for commencing manufacturing. Having said that, we will continue to observe the economic and financial viability of manufacturing in India. In the end, the decision to enter manufacturing in India will need to be a market-driven process.
We will continuously monitor the situation, react to the market demand, and support our customers after the ALMM regulation comes into play.
What are Trina Solar&#8217;s future expansion plans (launch of products, if any)?
Last year, Trina Solar obtained 173 new patents and now owns 1,159 patents. As an early mover with n-type technology, Trina Solar plans to upgrade its offerings with products, such as Vertex N modules, powered by the advanced i-TOPCon Ultra technology.
The Vertex n-type modules are already designed to provide 685W maximum power output and up to 22.1% module efficiency, but this technology platform is being further developed to provide 700W+ modules – delivering a lower balance of system cost and levelized cost of energy. Currently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is evaluating the product, and we will launch our n-type i-TOPCon modules in India as soon as it receives BIS certification.
In a suite of providing smart energy solutions to customers, we will also be launching our second-generation Vanguard 2P tracker in India. The Vanguard 2P, with its multi-motor control system, is highly reliable and easier to install than traditional mechanical drives.
Another key focus for us would be introducing Trina Solar’s new version of Elementa, a modular, flexible, and scalable system for utility applications and microgrids in India. This will be an additional piece to our total solutions offering to meet the ever-growing needs of local customers.

Growing Demand from C&I Segment Driving Solar Module Sales in India: Interview

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					</table>An infrastructure fund managed by BlueOrchard Finance (<a href="https://www.blueorchard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BlueOrchard</a>) said it would invest in <a href="https://usolar.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U-Solar</a>, a renewable energy platform in India, to support the growth of the company’s commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) rooftop solar portfolio.
<a href="http://www.archismanagement.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Archis Management Advisors </a>acted as the lead financial advisor to U-Solar.
The parties have not disclosed the size of the investment.
The funding provided by BlueOrchard will be utilized exclusively to expand U-Solar’s C&amp;I rooftop solar portfolio and contribute to the transition towards clean energy in India.
Founded in 2010, U-Solar has completed over 250 solar projects with a cumulative capacity of more than 170 MW.
U-Solar hopes to work with large corporates in their energy transition by providing them with options for rooftop solar projects across India.
In 2023, U-Solar has developed 10 MW of solar assets and plans to triple this by the end of 2024.
“We are confident that with its strong management team, consisting of industry experts with extensive experience in implementing solar power projects in India, the company will achieve its growth objectives, and we look forward to supporting them on their path,” said Prabaljit Sarkar, Investment Director Infrastructure, at BlueOrchard.
K.R Harinarayan, Managing Director at U-Solar, told Mercom, “We are working with marquee clients in the C&amp;I space with whom our strategy is to grow their solar energy consumption towards the net-zero or RE100 goals. It is our firmly held belief that distributed energy is the first step every corporate should take in its clean energy journey
He said installing on-site solar and becoming a prosumer (producer and consumer) is the most effective way of claiming green power utilization. The source is earmarked for the load that the corporate entity or facility would require, and the power is first consumed and then exported.
U-Solar was declared the winner in the ‘Best Off-Grid Solar Project’ category for <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-conference-india-virtual-event-2021/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solar Awards 2021</a> at the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-conference-india-virtual-event-2021/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Solar Summit 2021</a>.

BlueOrchard Invests in U-Solar for Expanding C&I Rooftop Solar Portfolio

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					</table>As we enter 2023, a new era is beginning in the Indian solar industry &#8211; a move toward domestic manufacturing and supply chain independence.
The solar industry in India experienced the most significant change in direction since the National Solar Policy was established with the imposition of BCD and ALMM. The impact of these policy changes will be transformative as the country starts setting up a domestic supply chain.
&#8220;Because of ALMM and BCD, a significant amount of solar module manufacturing capacity is being announced by Indian manufacturers. But this will be the first year where we will see any real effects. Higher module prices, the quality of domestically produced modules, and the demand-supply gap – will all be factors that will directly determine the pace of growth in the Indian solar market in 2023,&#8221; said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.
In the first nine months of 2022, a record 10 GW of new solar capacity was added, an increase of 35% year-over-year, according to Mercom India Research&#8217;s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/q3-2022-india-solar-market-update" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q3 2022 India Solar Market Update</a> report.
&#8220;With the recent timeline extension granted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), many projects are expected to roll over to 2024, which will affect the overall installation numbers this year. It is not going to surpass the 2022 numbers. Also, we will have to assess the overall impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China, which might impact the Indian market,&#8221; a top official from <a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC</a>, said.
Further, he said that since the domestic module manufacturing capacity will not fulfill the growing demands of the developers in 2023, they will have to look for other options.
While there is a sense of uncertainty regarding the availability of solar modules, domestic manufacturers are confident they can meet the demands of the solar sector in the new year.
&#8220;Many of the factories producing 540 Wp modules are operating at full capacity and new capacity is being added, which will benefit the domestic manufacturing industry. The government must focus on policy consistency to support the growth of the manufacturing sector. The implementation of the ALMM should also continue,&#8221; said Avinash Hiranandani, Managing Director of <a href="https://www.renewsysworld.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RenewSys</a>, a solar module manufacturer.
&#8220;On the supply side, lower demand usually means lower prices. We are already seeing that trend with Chinese solar modules, cells, wafers, and polysilicon ASPs all declining significantly towards the end of the year. We expect prices to continue declining in 2023, reversing a trend of higher prices caused by the supply bottleneck that started because of the Covid-19 pandemic,&#8221; noted Prabhu.
Apart from government interventions to help the domestic industry, module manufacturers are also upbeat because a decline in cell and metal prices and the anticipated decrease in module prices will likely increase the demand for solar installations from both C&amp;I customers and utility-scale projects.
But manufacturers have also pointed out that the inordinate delay in receiving approval for their products under ALMM has proved to be a challenge in 2022.
Harsh Jain, Director at <a href="https://www.citizensolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Citizen Solar</a>, a solar module manufacturer, and EPC service provider said, &#8220;The government is taking more than six months to complete the audit for ALMM, which makes it difficult for manufacturers like us. An expedited audit process in 2023 is needed as even net-metering projects need ALMM modules.&#8221;
After initial doubts, some developers have begun to buy into the manufacturers&#8217; confidence that they can meet the domestic module demand.
Vinay Pabba, Chief Operating Officer at <a href="https://www.vibrantenergyholdings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vibrant Energy</a>, an open access developer, said, &#8220;Domestic manufacturing is ramping up and the fervent hope is that this picks up the pace and supports the huge target of domestic installations we need every year to hit 280 GW of solar by 2030 from the current level of around 62 GW.&#8221;
He added that the developers are concerned about the growing <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-solar-module-exports-to-us-surge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">module exports</a> but hoped that sufficient module capacity would be retained for domestic use.
C&amp;I segment to drive solar growth
The increased consumption from the C&amp;I segment has driven power demand to new highs. Further, the segment is also actively looking to fulfill green obligations to be eligible for exports and meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance goals.
The industry believes that a combination of these factors is likely to propel solar installations in 2023.
&#8220;I believe that a 7-7.5% YoY growth in power demand going forward is possible. The bulk of the surging demand is likely to be met by solar in the scenario when coal capacity addition is flagging,&#8221; Pabba added.
With technological advancements that make round-the-clock power from renewable sources possible and policy support in the form of the interstate transmission system (ISTS) charges waiver, the industry is looking at the C&amp;I segment to create substantial demand for solar installations in 2023.
&#8220;The C&amp;I segment is primed for better demand during the year, especially given the clear shift towards wind-solar hybrid projects and a push toward round-the-clock renewable energy projects,&#8221; <a href="https://amplussolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amplus Solar</a> team, a distributed energy company, said.
Evacuation infra and land acquisition concerns
A lack of uniform land acquisition policy across the country has been an age-old issue for developers who have repeatedly petitioned the government about how the lack of ownership of the land on which the solar project is situated cuts them off from access to affordable financing.
Varchasvi Gagal, CEO and Managing Director at <a href="https://dattainfra.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Datta Infra</a>, a land and infrastructure solutions provider, said, &#8220;Assets built upon owned land have a drastic upside in valuations and stability of owning an asset. A uniform policy on land acquisition is required from the Ministry of Power and MNRE.&#8221;
The developers hope that the new year will finally bring a resolution to the issue. The industry is also concerned about the availability of evacuation infrastructure for all the planned capacity addition.
Although the government has finalized plans and dedicated funds to green energy transmission corridors, solar projects are typically commissioned much faster than transmission facilities which could create a bottleneck for the sector in the new year.
&#8220;The transmission segment is not that well-equipped to address the challenges of massive solar capacity addition in the next few years. Until now, solar has been the dominant player in the western region, with Rajasthan and Gujarat leading the way. But with hybrid taking the pivotal role, southern states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are moving ahead, but the southern region lacks transmission capacity to export energy to the north.&#8221; Amritesh Nambiar, Assistant Vice President-Projects at <a href="https://www.sterlitepower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sterlite</a>, an integrated power transmission developer and solutions provider, said.
He added that many new transmission lines had been planned in these regions, which will come to fruition in 2023 and the first half of 2024.
Jain concurred with the view and urged the government to provide a solution to both these issues.
&#8220;Short-term challenges are plenty in the Indian solar market. However, the government&#8217;s strong commitment to renewables with a goal to add 280 GW of solar by 2030 makes the long-term prospects very attractive,&#8221; added Prabhu.
To discuss the opportunities and ways to face challenges, Mercom India will <a href="https://mercomindia.com/event/renewables-summit-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">host</a> a two-day conference. The Mercom India Renewables Summit 2023 (formerly Mercom India Solar Summit) will bring together government, implementing agencies, think tanks, developers, manufacturers, investors, innovators, and other key decision makers on one stage to discuss plans and progress across the renewable sector.

Outlook for Indian Solar Industry in 2023: A New Manufacturing Era Begins

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