Taking the green route, four companies from the textile and ceramic industries have cumulatively saved ₹152.26 million (~$1.7 million) since 2024 by procuring power from a 21.5 MW solar project.

With the volatility of energy prices, these energy-intensive companies sought ways to reduce their energy costs.

Due to the challenges involved in procuring power from open access power projects, textile manufacturers Omax Cotspin and Fiotex Cotspin, and ceramic companies Agritex Enterprises and Antique Marbonite decided to procure power from a group captive power project at Soladi village in Gujarat.

Delhi-based WattPower has set up a solar project, which comprises high-efficiency solar modules and an automated tracking system, to enhance energy generation. WattPower also provided 78 solar string inverters.

Divya Prakash Choraria, CEO and Co-founder, Wattpower, said the Soladi solar project is a strong example of how solar energy can be integrated into core industrial operations to deliver performance and savings.

“Projects like this reflect the increasing adoption of solar solutions across the commercial and industrial sectors, helping businesses lower energy costs while advancing their sustainability goals,” added Choraria.

The project has been operational since 2024 and generates 49.4 million units (MU) of energy annually.

The four companies saved a cumulative ₹7.5 (~$0.087)/kWh since the project’s installation.

Arun Patel, Director, Omax Cotspin, a sustainable cotton yarn and fabric manufacturer and exporter, stated that although the initial investments were significant, the project is expected to yield substantial savings on its energy bills over the system’s lifespan.

The captive solar project meets 40% of the company’s power needs. It utilizes this energy for in-house consumption.

The solar project is integrated with Omax Cotspin’s existing power infrastructure, enabling it to offset a portion of its monthly electricity usage from the grid.

“This setup helps us reduce our dependence on conventional energy sources, lower operational costs, and contribute to our sustainability goals. The energy generated is adjusted against our monthly electricity bill through a net metering or set-off arrangement with the utility provider,” said Patel.

Discussing the issues with sourcing energy from open access projects, Patel said, “It (open access) comes with challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, high additional charges, and complex scheduling requirements. Captive solar offers more stability and lower long-term costs. We felt the captive mode was a more sustainable and manageable solution for our operations.”

Omax Cotspin is also planning to increase its share of renewable energy in the coming years.

“To stay competitive with global players like China, which has significantly higher renewable capacity, we must align with global energy trends. Investing in renewable energy ensures long-term cost savings, enhances our sustainability profile, and strengthens our position in the global market.”

Fiotex Cotspin, a cotton yarn manufacturing company, supplies top and famous brands in both international and domestic markets. It has an annual power consumption of 38.5 MU and has turned to solar energy to reduce its dependence on conventional electricity.

The company’s share of energy from the Soladi group-captive solar project is 7.2 MW. It sources a total of 11.1 MW of renewable energy for its factories.

Fiotex Cotspin is meeting 67% to 70%, or 26 MU, of its power needs through captive renewable energy projects annually.

Ripple Patel, Managing Director of Fiotex Cotspin, said his company is focused on achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 and seeks to invest in all types of renewable energy sources.

The company is also planning to achieve 100% captive power consumption.

Patel added that Fiotex Cotspin would consider setting up power projects to sell to consumers if the norms for power purchase agreements are relaxed.

Recently, AYM Syntex, a textile manufacturer based in Mumbai, installed a 400 kW rooftop solar system to reduce its reliance on grid electricity and bring down electricity costs without disrupting operations.

To increase awareness among businesses in the C&I segment about clean energy adoption, Mercom India is hosting a C&I meet in Hyderabad on August 22, 2025. These events aim to provide businesses with the best industry insights and tools they need to adopt renewable energy solutions, lower their power costs, and enhance their sustainability ratings.