Panasonic, globally, has a presence in the solar power sector for nearly five decades now. In India, Panasonic started its solar business in 2015 and today offers a wide range of solutions – spanning products and services. In this interaction, Amit Barve, Head – Solar Business Unit, Panasonic Life Solutions India, describes Panasonic’s range of activities in the Indian solar business. Barve feels that given India’s firm commitment towards renewable energy, the solar power sector provides immense opportunity to both manufacturers and service providers.
When did Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND) enter the solar business in India, and what was the rationale behind this move?
Globally, Panasonic has been an active player in the renewable energy space—especially solar— since 1975. This makes us one the longest experienced company in the sector. We were pioneers in establishing on-grid residential solar market in Japan by installing the first system, way back in 1992.
With a growing market for renewables and a very clear commitment from the Government of India in pushing renewables, especially solar, we saw a market for high-quality products in India. We started our business in 2015 by distributing our patented high-efficiency HIT solar modules and in the next two years, we started our turnkey solar EPC business that was largely targeted towards the commercial & industrial (C&I) customers.
Environment and sustainability are at the core of Panasonic as organizational philosophy, and we practice as well as help our partners attain the same by supplying multiple energy-saving products as well as offerings in management services.
Tell us in brief about parent company Panasonic’s activities in the solar sector as well as products and services that are currently offered in the solar power space.
Panasonic’s global solar strategy is more in tune with country-specific market needs and the prevailing regulatory environment. For instance, in Japan, we are currently focusing only on the residential market supplying high-quality solar modules as well as inverters to households.
While in a few specific countries, like the USA and the Oceanic region, we provide hybrid solar systems comprising solar modules, hybrid inverters as well as storage. In ASEAN countries like Thailand and Malaysia we focus on offering turnkey solar systems more for industrial rooftops.
In India we have focus on two categories of business – Products and Services.
Under “Products”, we distribute solar modules of different variants like mono PERC using half-cut cells, poly for DCR category; solar inverters from 3kW to 25kW catering to residential segment; and, all-in-one standalone as well as hybrid solar streetlights
As part of “Services,” we provide turnkey solar solutions for roof as well as ground-based systems; Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for our projects constructed by us as well as those built by others.
Tell us more on the indigenization aspect. Are all products manufactured locally? Further, what is the level of localization?
We at Panasonic were among the first ones in international companies to respond to the “Aatmanirbhar” initiative of the Government of India; by starting the localization of solar modules. Currently, we make modules of various technologies like Mono PERC using half-cut cells targeted for the rooftop segment as well as ground-based systems. Polycrystalline solar modules in DCR variant for various government run projects.
Our initiative for localization goes beyond ‘Supply for India’; and this motto extends to “Made in India” but ‘Made for the World’! Since the last two years, we have been actively engaged in exports to widen our global footprints and are glad to share that we have started exporting our solar modules across seven countries, including a few in ASEAN as well as in the EU.
In a general sense, how do you see the penetration of solar streetlights in India? Who forms your major clientele in the solar streetlight business?
The solar street lighting industry is projected to grow at a steady rate in the coming years. The drivers behind this rise in demand include the increased focus on electrification of national highways, village roads, eliminating darkness on unsafe road stretches, and developing smart cities as a part of various government initiatives.
Even in remote areas, the minimal maintenance and comparatively low operational costs promote the use of solar street lighting. Further, India’s rapidly expanding public infrastructure, the need for roads and highways, and the growing penchant for clean energy present immense scope for the solar street lighting market.
Various government initiatives have shaped these prospects. Panasonic is actively involved in projects across highways, public roads, public infrastructure like heritage sites, railways, police welfare corporations, universities, and more.
Following the launch of our solar streetlights, our signature products have started gaining traction in major government spaces and private accounts. This was bolstered by our wide customer connect and reach across India.
Please discuss Panasonics solar EPC business. Can you cite some recent projects?
We cater to both segments to help businesses and developers practice sustainability and have a smooth transition towards green energy adoption; all this by offering best-in-class engineering, technology and services.
Till date, we have worked with multiple high-profile customers in India across segments like IT, automobiles, beverages, bath & fittings, manufacturing, etc., thereby, helping businesses make the green transition.
Recently, we commissioned two solar plants in Maharashtra, the 7 MW AC ground-mount solar power plant built on an EPC basis for Gro Solar Energy Pvt Ltd at Dhule. This project is spread over 50 acres of land and executed with our solar modules that are “Made in India”.
This, so far, is one of the biggest agri-voltaic projects in India. The project has been taken up under the Government of Maharashtra’s “Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana”. The scheme has the objective of providing daytime power to the farmers.
Second, in association with FIAT India Automobile Pvt Ltd, we commissioned a 6MWp rooftop solar plant in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra and currently executing Phase- III of 3 MWp.
Having completed installations of over 100+ MWp across sectors and regions, has given us a holistic perspective towards client needs and challenges and we endeavour to partner with them in their solar journey from the very early days with an aim for the best output and support.
What are the typical challenges in the construction and which has been PLSIND’s most challenging project so far?
At PLSIND given our decades of experience globally we believe in constantly learning yet evolving. Our learning from past projects help us offer creative and innovative solutions at all stages including designing, procurement and construction. A thorough process is followed including:
- Understanding client requirements at conceptual level
- Site evaluation & analysis with our experts to avoid last minute glitches
- Meticulous execution like collaborating with top-tier vendors, best-in-class construction practices till performance monitoring and maintenance
All these while keeping the client aligned on the roadblocks and progress regularly, help towards smoother operations and credibility building. Thereby we ensure prioritized attention to the intrinsic and minutest details of any project from day one.
In a general sense, how have project execution techniques evolved over the years with respect to solar power plants, making the process safer and more efficient?
At Panasonic, adhering to best safety practices is of utmost importance. Safety starts even before we begin our construction work on site, by careful evaluation of safety risks as well as hazards on site, developing site-specific safety plan; in association and harmonizing with customers’ plans too.
We rigorously follow processes like tool-box talks, mandate compulsory usage of PPEs and safety gears for all those on site. Our rooftop sites begin only when installation of lifeline, handrails and walkways are completed, ensuring that people handling material and involved in installation are safe all the time during construction.
We strongly believe ensuring safe operation is a continuous process; and, hence we appoint a safety officer who would be supervising the site during the entire construction.
Further, at Panasonic it is our endeavor to hand-hold large and medium industries to make the solar shift given our solar domain expertise of more than 45 years, while also guiding small-medium scale industries via our pan India channel partners. We regularly conduct workshops to educate stakeholders on the best design and installation practices while also supplying best-in-class solar products to yield maximum generation.
In the broad sense, how do you gauge India’s self-reliance in the field of solar cells and modules?
With PLI schemes getting activated for solar sector, it offers a great opportunity for Indian solar component manufacturers to consolidate their position not only in India but start building world-class manufacturing setups which can start exporting solar components across the globe.
Also, this is the best time for Indian manufacturers to collaborate or partner with international solar technology companies to give them access to the Indian markets through their local manufacturing routes. This can lead to a win-win situation ensuring that world-class technology can flow in India for creating state-of-the-art manufacturing setups and give access to technology companies to participate in the Indian market. With cost competitiveness and sustained access to the market, our local manufacturers would be able to scale organizations and soon can become world-class suppliers.
However, sustained efforts are required in terms of aligning policies to realize fruitful implementation and it is imperative that the solar industry stakeholders come together to achieve these goals.
