Executive panel on technology Improvements for Profitable Solar Manufacturing
Moderated by TaiyangNews Managing Director Michael Schmela and RCT Solutions CEO Prof. Dr. Peter Fath, the high-level executive panel discussion delved into profitable solar manufacturing with technological improvements along the value chain.
Omkar Jani, CTO of Reliance Industries, explained that the strategic choice of HJT reflects a forward-looking approach of the company as it anticipates technological maturation during factory ramp-up. The extended lead time allows for cost optimization and innovation, ensuring the technology remains cutting-edge and economically viable by the time large-scale production reaches full operational capacity. Another example of its long-term planning is that Reliance’s polysilicon plant will produce semiconductor-grade silicon, thus future-proofing the investment.
Sudhir M Reddy, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Premier Energies Limited, said that while the company decided to follow the trend of TOPCon, it sees strong future potential in HJT. For TOPCon, he acknowledged serious patent challenges while stressing the role of equipment suppliers in helping avoid infringement. Reddy also urged Indian firms to build their own IP portfolios.
Emmvee Group, one of India’s oldest solar PV manufacturers, has also adopted TOPCon. Suhas Donthi, CEO and President of the Emmvee Group, emphasized the potential to enhance existing technologies that he believes offer greater value to customers. He advocates for optimizing current solutions rather than immediately shifting to emerging technologies. This, he said, will encourage thoughtful innovation over rapid transitions.
Dr. Balachander Krishnan, COO of Indosol Solar, echoed Donthi’s view on TOPCon’s potential, noting that efficiencies could reach 28%. To achieve this, Indosol aims to collaborate with leading institutes like Fraunhofer ISE or ISC Konstanz. He also highlighted automation as crucial, given India’s shortage of skilled labor.
Panelists agreed with Jani when he said that India has huge untapped potential in domestic machine manufacturing, which could rival Chinese dominance. He believes equipment production will drive the next wave of growth in India’s solar sector. The panel emphasized the importance of collaboration with German and European institutes and firms to leverage their technological expertise in this space. Reliance, for example, not only builds its solar capacities on the REC’s experience – the Norwegian cell/module maker it acquired – it has also invested in a next-generation solar wafer startup in Germany, Nexwafe.
