TP Solar Ltd has announced that it has started commercial production from the 2-GW solar cell line at its manufacturing facility located at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
TP Solar Ltd is a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) and is amongst India’s largest solar cell and module manufacturing companies.
Believed to be India’s largest single-location solar cell and module facility, the Tirunelveli plant on which production of solar modules started in October 2023 has so far produced 1,250 MW of solar modules so far.
The solar cell production, currently at 2-GW capacity will enhance Tata Power’s ability to meet the growing demand for high-quality, and domestically produced solar components, especially for large-scale capacity-addition projects, a company release said.
The plant is expected to ramp up production with the remaining 2 GW capacity to be added over the next 4-6 weeks, reaching peak production within the next few months. The total solar cell & module manufacturing capacity of the Tirunelveli plant is 4.3 GW per year.
The facility is equipped with advanced TOPCon and Mono Perc technology, enabling high-efficiency production of solar cells and modules. The cells and modules produced at the Tamil Nadu facility will initially cater to the company’s ongoing projects, further strengthening its supply chain.
Indigenisation of the solar value chain
According to Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, “The commencement of cell production at our Tirunelveli plant is a significant step towards indigenisation 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.”
Rs.4,300-crore Investment
The company has committed nearly Rs.4,300 crore towards the establishment of this facility. It is a cornerstone of Tata Power’s strategy to lead India’s renewable energy transition, particularly in the solar rooftop and utility-scale segments, where it holds a 20% market share and aims for further expansion under programs like PM Surya Ghar Yojana. While the modules produced from this factory are a part of the Government’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), the company is confident that its high-quality cells will also make it to the ALMM list for cells, expected to be announced by the Government soon.
Bengaluru facility
In addition to the Tirunelveli plant, the company also operates a world-class manufacturing facility established in 1992 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, has a production capacity of 682 MW for solar modules and 530 MW for solar cells. To date, it has supplied a total of 3.73 GW of solar modules and 2.26 GW of solar cells.
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Featured photograph shows a woman employee is working at production line at Tata Power’s solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. This is India’s largest single-location integrated facility and is run by an 80 per cent women workforce.
