Aiming for the Sky: Gautam Solar Gears Up for a 5 GW Revolution in Solar Energy

Gautam Solar is unique in its 100 percent Made in India, 28+ years of solar experience, 250 MWp solar manufacturing capacity, five well-established factories, an in-house R&D team, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, MNRE accreditation, UV-proof certificate, and IP-65 rating. The company has also launched DCR solar panels and manufactured over 2000 solar pumps, says Gautam Mohanka, CEO, Gautam Solar Pvt. Ltd. in an interview with EVolution Auto India.

Q: Please walk us through the business journey of Gautam Solar along with its major milestones and crucial achievements.

Gautam Mohanka: Gautam Solar, a New Delhi-based solar manufacturer with over 28 years of experience, offers a range of domestic and industrial solar energy products and solutions. Recently, Gautam Solar launched the G-2X Mono crystalline series of solar panels, capable of generating up to 30 percent more power due to their ‘Dual Power Generation’ design.

Gautam Solar is also investing in solar cell manufacturing by investing in a 2 GW plant. The company has filed a Patent & Design Registration for Innovation in Solar Panels, which reduces installation costs for solar power plants at utility and rooftop scales. The company has five manufacturing units in Haridwar, Uttarakhand and Bhiwani, Haryana.

Gautam Solar is unique in its 100 percent Made in India, 28+ years of solar experience, 250 MWp solar manufacturing capacity, five well-established factories, an in-house R&D team, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, MNRE accreditation, UV-proof certificate, and IP-65 rating. The company has also launched DCR solar panels and manufactured over 2000 solar pumps.

Q: Could you shed some light on the unique features and innovative services provided by Gautam Solar particularly in the N-Type TopCon solar module segment?

Gautam Mohanka: Gautam Solar is known for producing N-type TOPCon solar modules and All Black TOPCon& Mono PERC solar modules for residential and commercial, and industrial rooftops. The N-Type TOPCon 420 Wp – 435 Wp and Mono PERC 400 Wp – 415 Wp solar modules are available in all black variants, contrasting with the conventional design with a white backsheet and silver anodized aluminium alloy frame.

The modules are designed to provide more power per unit area than P-type modules, ensuring more energy per unit area. The modules are compact, easy to handle during transportation and installation, resulting in reduced breakage rates and lower labor costs.

Gautam Solar, a technologically driven brand with multiple Intellectual Properties (IPs), is aiming to enter Europe as an important market for Indian solar module manufacturers. The modules incorporate modern cell technologies such as Round Ribbon Connectors for better light utilization, Non-Destructive Cell Cutting for higher reliability, and Half-Cut Cell Technology for better low-light performance. The optimum module size using M10 Cells ensures maximum space utilization in a standard 40 ft. container during transportation.

Q: Gautam Solar recently revealed its plans to raise INR 1000 crore through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in next 12 to 18 months. What critical areas would you focus on?

Gautam Mohanka: Yes, we plan to raise INR 1,000 crore through Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the next 12 to 18 months in order to fund our 2 GW solar cell manufacturing project. The proposed solar cell line is part of the company’s plan to expand its solar module manufacturing capacity to 5 GW by 2025. To accomplish this plan, INR 1,000 crore worth of solar cell projects will be funded through an IPO, in addition to bringing further innovations and developments to the company. The expansion will occur in three phases, with the first phase completed in 2024, followed by the second and third phases in January and April 2025, respectively.

Q: What are your expansion plans in terms of product development?

Gautam Mohanka: Gautam Solar is planning to invest INR 1000 crore to expand its manufacturing capabilities, supported by its upcoming IPO. This investment will help the company take initial steps toward setting up a solar cell manufacturing facility, aligning with India’s renewable energy roadmap and strengthening domestic solar manufacturing.

The company remains committed to producing high-quality N-Type TOPCon and Mono PERC Solar Modules, ensuring long-term financial security for investors through rigorous quality standards, warranties, and risk management measures. CRISIL recently reaffirmed Gautam Solar’s financial strength, assigning it a ‘CRISIL BBB+/Stable’ long-term rating and a ‘CRISIL A2’ short-term rating.

Additionally, Gautam Solar has launched two whitepapers addressing challenges faced by solar developers and manufacturers, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in the renewable energy sector. Through these strategic steps, the company is working toward strengthening India’s position as a global solar hub.

Q: How, in your opinion, is digitalization making the renewable energy & e-mobility sector smarter and more efficient?

Gautam Mohanka: Digitalization is revolutionizing the renewable energy and e-mobility sectors, enhancing efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability. Real-time data analytics and monitoring enable predictive maintenance, optimizing power generation and resource utilization. Smart grids with real-time analytics enable dynamic adjustments to energy demand and supply, improving load balancing and efficiency.

On the other hand, battery management systems (BMS) optimize battery use and lifespan, ensuring peak performance. Connected charging networks and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology improve user experience and connectivity.

By leveraging these digital tools, the renewable energy and e-mobility sectors can address challenges related to efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability, leading to a smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy ecosystem.

Q: What are your views on integrating solar energy in the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs)? What are the potential economic benefits of investing in solar energy infrastructure for EV charging?

Gautam Mohanka: Incorporating solar energy into EV charging infrastructure presents a financially and environmentally attractive option, offering long-term benefits for businesses, consumers, and the overall energy grid. The declining costs of solar panels and energy storage technologies, combined with increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions, make solar-powered EV charging stations a viable and cost-effective investment. By leveraging solar energy, businesses can reduce dependency on grid electricity, leading to significant cost savings while also ensuring energy resilience. This integration minimizes operational expenses over time and provides protection against fluctuations in electricity prices.

Additionally, solar- powered EV charging stations help reduce carbon emissions, supporting global climate goals and improving air quality in urban areas. As the EV market expands, developing a robust solar-powered charging network can contribute to energy independence, reduce strain on traditional power infrastructure, and create new economic opportunities in the renewable energy sector. This dual benefit of cost savings and environmental sustainability positions solar-powered EV charging as a transformative solution for businesses, communities, and the future of mobility.