TP Solar, a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy, has begun commercial production from its 2 GW solar cell line at the Tirunelveli manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. This new capacity aims to meet the increasing demand for domestically produced solar components, especially for large-scale projects.

The facility plans to add another 2 GW of capacity over the next 4-6 weeks, with total production expected in the coming months. The module production line at the Tirunelveli plant, commissioned in October 2023, has produced 1,250 MW of solar modules. This brings Tata Power’s total solar cell and module manufacturing capacity to 4.3 GW.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation approved $425 million in financing for this facility in September last year.

“The commencement of cell production at our Tirunelveli plant is a significant step towards indigenization in the solar value chain and achieving self-sufficiency. We are committed to making solar power accessible to all and ensuring a bright future for India, powered by renewable energy. We believe that this plant will lead the way in supporting the country’s vision for a Net-Zero carbon future,” said Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD, Tata Power

The facility is equipped with TOPCon and Mono Perc technology, with Tata Power investing ₹43 billion (~$512.06 million) in its development. The solar cells and modules produced will initially be used for the company’s ongoing projects, with plans for future market distribution.

In addition to the Tirunelveli plant, Tata Power operates a manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, with a production capacity of 682 MW for solar modules and 530 MW for solar cells. Since its establishment in 1992, the Bengaluru plant has supplied 3.73 GW of solar modules and 2.26 GW of solar cells.

This announcement follows the issuance of a draft amendment to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) Order by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to include solar cells in the ALMM framework.