In an exclusive interview with Mercom, Manish Gupta, Chairman of INA Solar, shared his insights about the rapidly changing landscape of solar manufacturing and his company’s plans to meet the ever-growing demand of the Indian solar industry.

What is INA Solar’s current solar module manufacturing capacity? What are the company’s plans for solar cell manufacturing?

At INA Solar, we have always believed that innovation, quality, and scale are the pillars that define a world-class solar manufacturing company. Over the years, we have strategically built our manufacturing capabilities to cater to both India’s rapidly growing renewable energy requirements and the global solar market.

We operate three manufacturing units in Jaipur with a combined solar module production capacity of 5.5 GW. Our most recent facility at Sawarda, Jaipur, adds 4.5 GW of AI and robotics-driven capacity dedicated to high-efficiency TOPCon and mono PERC modules.

We are also investing in advanced architectures, such as TOPCon, M10R, and G12R, supported by a strong in-house R&D team focused on efficiency, durability, and sustainable manufacturing.

To expand upstream, INA Solar is developing a new plant in Madhya Pradesh with 4.5 GW of G12R N-Type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing capacity. Our total footprint is projected to reach 7 GW of modules, 4.5 GW of solar cells, and 18,000 MTA of aluminum frames.

What steps do you believe are essential to prepare India for the proposed ALMM mandate on wafers and ingots by 2028?

The proposed ALMM mandate on wafers and ingots by 2028 provides India with a crucial lead time to build a strong domestic upstream ecosystem. While short-term costs may rise due to limited local ingot-wafer capacity, the transition window enables manufacturers to scale sustainably.

To prepare for ALMM List-III, the essential steps include rapidly building domestic ingot-wafer capacity to reduce import reliance and balancing domestic and global supply during the transition.

We must also design lines that can handle multiple wafer sizes and specs, increase automation, yields, and cost efficiency, and work with MNRE to secure incentives and financing for upstream investments.

How do you view the current state of Indian solar manufacturing? What policy interventions or industry measures are needed to enhance global competitiveness?

India’s solar manufacturing sector has expanded rapidly over the past 18 to 24 months, driven largely by the production-linked incentive (PLI) program and strong growth in module production capacity. However, domestic manufacturing of cells, wafers, and ingots still falls short of market demand. Challenges such as fragmented supply chains and an inverted duty structure continue to put pressure on production costs and working capital for manufacturers.

Several policy interventions are needed to enhance global competitiveness. Addressing the inverted duty structure and input tax credit (ITC) blockage would significantly ease cash-flow constraints for manufacturers. Strengthening PLI support for upstream segments, such as ingots, wafers, and cells, is essential to achieving full value-chain integration. Stable ALMM timelines and consistent procurement rules would reduce uncertainty for investors and developers. Additionally, enabling low-cost, long-term financing for upstream projects and supporting exports through targeted incentives and trade diplomacy would help Indian manufacturers compete internationally.

On the industry side, companies must prioritize backward integration supported by strong global technology partnerships. Building flexible, standardized production lines, adopting higher levels of automation, improving yields, and meeting international certification standards will be critical to long-term competitiveness. Developing supplier clusters and localized ecosystems can help reduce dependency on imports, while investing in R&D and workforce skilling will strengthen technological self-reliance.

How will the recent reduction of GST on solar cells from 12% to 5% affect manufacturers, considering that issues related to the inverted duty structure and accumulated input tax credit persist?

The reduction in GST on solar cells from 12% to 5% is positive for boosting demand and reducing project costs. However, for manufacturers, the benefit is limited because the inverted duty structure remains unresolved.

Input materials, such as glass, EVA, backsheets, and frames, are still subject to a 12%-18% GST, while the final product is taxed at only 5%. This widens the gap between input tax paid and output tax collected, leading to large accumulated ITC, blocked working capital, higher effective production costs, and reduced margins, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers.

So, while the GST cut supports installations, its impact on manufacturing competitiveness is minimal unless paired with solutions such as input GST rationalization or ITC refund mechanisms.

With ALMM mandates extending to cells, wafers, and ingots, do you foresee a potential shortage of skilled workers across the solar value chain? What measures are needed to develop technical talent at scale?

A talent shortage is likely as ALMM requirements expand to include cells, wafers, and ingots by 2028. India has strong expertise in module assembly, but the talent pool for the upstream stages of the solar value chain, such as ingot pulling, wafering, and advanced cell manufacturing, is relatively limited.

The key skill gaps include crystal growth, wafer slicing, cell manufacturing processes such as diffusion, metallization, and passivation, as well as automation and robotics, equipment maintenance, and advanced quality-control techniques.

To build talent at scale, India needs to establish dedicated solar manufacturing training centres with industry-led curricula tailored to upstream technologies. Strengthening collaboration between academia and industry through specialized electives, laboratory facilities, and apprenticeship programs will also be critical. Upskilling the existing module-line workforce through bridge programs and hands-on training can help create a pipeline of workers ready for more advanced manufacturing roles.

Forming technology partnerships with global leaders, particularly those that include embedded training modules, will accelerate capability building. Additionally, developing national skill standards and offering incentives for companies that invest in workforce development can help drive systematic improvement across the sector.

Frequent policy changes in solar manufacturing are often seen as a source of uncertainty. How do you think investors perceive this volatility, and what actions could help strengthen their confidence?

Yes, frequent policy changes in solar manufacturing creates uncertainty for investors. While the intent is positive, unpredictability in ALMM timelines, BCD/GST changes, and incentive structures affects long-term planning in a capital-intensive sector.

Investors generally view this volatility through several lenses. First, it creates ambiguity about demand because frequent shifts in ALMM and duty timelines make it difficult to forecast market conditions accurately. Second, sudden changes in tariffs or GST rates introduce financial unpredictability, disrupting cost models and affecting expected IRRs. Third, global partners tend to remain cautious when execution timelines or regulatory frameworks change frequently, which affects their confidence in market stability.

To strengthen investor confidence, several actions can be taken. Establishing a clear long-term policy roadmap, ideally spanning eight to ten years, for ALMM, duties, and incentives would provide much-needed visibility. Better coordination among MNRE, the Ministry of Finance, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade could help prevent conflicting regulations. Providing stable duty and tax structures with multi-year visibility, along with resolved inverted duty issues, would further reduce uncertainty. Ensuring faster and more transparent PLI disbursement through time-bound approvals and payouts would also help.

Which solar module technologies is INA prioritizing? Which technologies are likely to gain prominence in India and globally in the near to mid-term?

INA Solar is prioritizing N-Type TOPCon technology as the next-generation standard for high-efficiency solar modules. Among the currently available technologies, such as PERC, N-Type TOPCon, and HJT, we believe N-Type TOPCon will capture a major market share and remain commercially viable for a longer tenure, owing to its higher efficiency, better temperature coefficient, and compatibility with existing PERC manufacturing infrastructure.

Ongoing technological advancements at the laboratory level are expected to strengthen N-Type TOPCon’s performance and process stability, ensuring continued support for existing infrastructure and protecting investors’ interests.

Within the N-Type family, INA Solar anticipates that G12R will be the leading format for large-scale adoption. Accordingly, the company has chosen to advance with G12R-based N-Type TOPCon technology and is in the process of establishing a 4.5 GW solar cell production facility at Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh.

From a broader perspective, N-Type TOPCon is expected to dominate both the Indian and global PV markets in the near to mid-term. At the same time, HJT and perovskite tandem technologies may gain traction over the longer term as manufacturing processes mature and become more cost-competitive.

Project developers often raise concerns about the quality of domestically manufactured solar modules. As a manufacturer, how do you address these concerns?

At INA Solar, we understand that quality is the most important factor for project developers. Our production lines are fully automated and equipped with advanced machinery, ensuring accuracy and consistency at every step. Each module undergoes several levels of inspection, from raw materials to the final product, ensuring that only the best reaches our customers.

We strictly follow internationally recognized standards, such as IEC, BIS, and ALMM, and our in-house testing facilities verify modules for performance, durability, and long-term reliability. Our R&D and quality teams collaborate closely with technology partners to continually improve materials and processes.

By maintaining transparency and traceability throughout production, we ensure our modules deliver the performance and reliability developers expect, demonstrating that Indian manufacturers can meet global quality standards.