India’s evolution from a manufacturing hub to a global EPC player signals the growing maturity of its renewable energy industry. Manufacturing established India’s credibility in producing world-class solar products. The next milestone lies in demonstrating the ability to design, build, and execute complex renewable energy projects across international markets, writes Vineet Mittal, Director, Navitas Solar.
For much of the last decade, India’s solar journey has been defined by its rapid rise as a manufacturing hub. Policy initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) have transformed the country from an import-dependent market into one of the world’s fastest-growing solar manufacturing ecosystems. By early July 2026, India’s module manufacturing capacity had reached nearly 204GW, while cell capacity crossed 31GW, laying the foundation for greater self-reliance and stronger export potential.
However, the next chapter of India’s solar story is no longer just about producing modules; it’s about exporting expertise. A growing number of Indian solar companies are now taking on international Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects, moving beyond equipment supply to delivering complete renewable energy solutions. This marks an important evolution for the industry, positioning India not only as a manufacturing powerhouse but also as a trusted global execution partner.
Beyond Exports: Delivering Complete Solar Solutions
India’s solar exports have grown significantly over the past few years, reaching nearly US$2 billion cumulatively by FY2024, with the United States accounting for the overwhelming majority of shipments. While this growth reflects the strength of Indian manufacturing, it also highlights the need to diversify both markets and business models. As global manufacturing capacities expand, Indian companies are increasingly looking beyond module exports and focusing on higher-value opportunities. EPC projects represent a natural progression, enabling companies to leverage their engineering expertise, project management capabilities, and experience gained from executing large-scale renewable energy projects within India.
This transition allows Indian firms to participate across the entire project lifecycle, from design and procurement to construction, commissioning, and long-term project delivery, creating greater value while strengthening India’s position in the global renewable energy ecosystem.
Indian Companies Are Expanding Their Global Footprint
Several Indian companies are already demonstrating this shift. SWREL has delivered more than 21 GW of solar EPC projects across 28 countries. Joining this growing momentum, Navitas Solar recently entered the international EPC space through its first overseas utility-scale project of 20 million USD, for a 54 MW captive solar power project in Zambia. Executed through its EPC arm, the project will support a mining operation while sourcing a significant portion of its equipment from India, reinforcing the country’s manufacturing capabilities alongside its engineering expertise.
While these projects vary in scale, they collectively reflect an important trend: Indian companies are increasingly being recognised not only for manufacturing quality products but also for delivering end-to-end renewable energy infrastructure.
Africa: The Next Growth Frontier
Africa is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for renewable energy investments. According to the Africa Solar Industry Association, the continent’s installed solar capacity grew 26% in 2025, reaching 23.4 GW, making it one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally. Rapid industrialisation, increasing electricity demand, and the need for reliable power infrastructure are creating significant opportunities across sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and commercial industries.
Although Africa currently receives only a small share of global renewable energy investment and challenges around financing and project execution remain, these gaps also present opportunities for experienced international developers capable of delivering reliable, cost-effective solar infrastructure. For Indian companies, this creates an opportunity to build long-term partnerships in emerging markets where engineering capability, competitive manufacturing, and execution expertise are equally valued.
The Next Phase of India’s Solar Story
India’s evolution from a manufacturing hub to a global EPC player signals the growing maturity of its renewable energy industry. Manufacturing established India’s credibility in producing world-class solar products. The next milestone lies in demonstrating the ability to design, build, and execute complex renewable energy projects across international markets.
As Indian companies expand their presence globally, they are carrying with them not only domestically manufactured products but also the engineering expertise, project execution capabilities, and innovation developed through India’s own energy transition.
This evolution represents more than geographic expansion, it reflects the industry’s broader ambition to contribute meaningfully to the global clean energy transition. As emerging markets continue to accelerate renewable energy adoption, India’s integrated capabilities across manufacturing and project execution position it to become a trusted partner in building the next generation of sustainable energy infrastructure worldwide.