Demand for Battery Storage and String Inverters Growing in India: Interview

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					</table>As battery energy storage systems (BESS) become a key focus for India’s solar inverter market, string inverters are seeing wider adoption in utility-scale projects because of their modularity, lower maintenance needs, and potential to reduce generation losses.
In an interview with Mercom India at the recently concluded Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo 2026, Aniket Sawant, Country Head at <a href="https://en.goodwe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoodWe India</a>, discussed emerging trends in India&#8217;s inverter market, the growing importance of battery storage, technological developments, component supply challenges, and the company&#8217;s expansion plans.
What is GoodWe&#8217;s current inverter portfolio, and what are the company&#8217;s plans for the next two to three years?
GoodWe has completed 10 years in India. Our business primarily focuses on on-grid inverters, and we serve residential, commercial and industrial (C&amp;I), and utility-scale customers.
Our residential portfolio includes single-phase inverters starting at 3 kW and three-phase inverters up to 10 kW. For C&amp;I applications, we offer inverters ranging from 12 kW to 150 kW, while our utility-scale portfolio includes 350 kW inverters.
Looking ahead, we anticipate significant growth in energy storage demand, which will be an important part of our future business.
What major trends are emerging in India&#8217;s solar inverter market?
Battery energy storage is one of the most significant trends in the Indian solar market.
Initially, the focus was on generating solar electricity and consuming it immediately or injecting it into the grid. However, the market is shifting towards storing electricity generated during the day and using it at night.
Government policies are increasingly addressing the need for energy storage across residential, C&amp;I, and utility-scale applications. We see substantial potential for battery storage as the industry transitions from generation-focused installations toward integrated solutions.
Are utility-scale solar developers shifting from central inverters to string inverters? What is driving this transition?
Utility-scale projects are clearly shifting toward string inverters. Three to four years ago, central inverters dominated approximately 90% of the utility-scale market. However, developers are increasingly recognizing the technical and operational advantages of string inverters.
One advantage is installation flexibility. String inverters can be mounted directly on structures, while central inverters generally require dedicated civil foundations, adding to installation costs.
String inverters also offer operational and maintenance advantages because of their modular design. For example, if a central inverter serving a 1 MW block fails, the entire block can go offline, resulting in generation losses. In comparison, if a 300 kW string inverter fails, only the capacity connected to that inverter is affected.
This reduces the impact of equipment failures on electricity generation and project revenue.
String inverters also integrate effectively with solar trackers, supporting improved generation performance. For projects operating over 10 to 20 years, modularity, maintenance flexibility, and reduced downtime can provide long-term operational benefits.
How are advancements in solar module technologies influencing inverter design and technical specifications?
Solar module technology is evolving rapidly, and inverter manufacturers must continuously upgrade their products to remain compatible. A few years ago, solar modules typically had power ratings of approximately 400 W to 450 W. Today, modules with capacities reaching around 700 W are available.
Inverter manufacturers must adapt their technical specifications, particularly maximum power point tracking (MPPT) current capabilities. For example, newer heterojunction modules may require MPPT current ratings of about 40 A.
Inverter manufacturers must increase current handling capabilities and ensure their products remain compatible with emerging module technologies. Monitoring technological developments in solar modules and upgrading inverter specifications accordingly will remain critical.
What are the major challenges in inverter manufacturing, particularly regarding semiconductor and IGBT availability?
The availability of critical electronic components remains an important challenge for inverter manufacturers. India&#8217;s annual renewable energy installations have increased substantially, from approximately 9 GW to 10 GW a few years ago to around 25 GW to 30 GW.
As installations increase, demand for semiconductors and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) also rises. The global market has relatively few major suppliers of these components, including Infineon, Fuji, and established Chinese manufacturers.
Large inverter manufacturers with strategic relationships with component suppliers are generally better positioned to manage supply constraints. However, fluctuations in demand and component availability can still affect procurement costs and inverter prices.
How do you see grid-forming inverter technology developing in India over the next two to three years?
Grid-forming inverter technology has already gained traction in markets such as the U.S. and Europe. India has its own grid requirements and project-specific challenges. Currently, grid-following inverters remain widely used because they align with existing grid requirements.
Grid-forming technology can help improve grid stability through active and reactive power management. However, wider adoption will depend on clear policy direction and coordinated planning involving policymakers, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, grid operators, and distribution companies.
Once appropriate requirements and implementation frameworks are established, inverter manufacturers will need to align their products with these standards. A few manufacturers have already introduced grid-forming solutions, and we expect the number of manufacturers offering this technology to increase significantly over the coming years.
What are GoodWe&#8217;s plans for battery energy storage, and how has the market responded to its new products?
GoodWe has introduced battery storage solutions for C&amp;I and utility-scale applications, including a 2 MW/4 MWh utility-scale battery storage solution.
We have received a positive response to our storage products, particularly as developers and consumers increasingly recognize the need for backup power and energy management.
In Maharashtra, emerging storage requirements for rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects are encouraging customers to evaluate battery storage solutions. Demand is developing across C&amp;I and utility-scale applications, including projects under the PM-KUSUM program.
We anticipate significant growth in storage demand as more projects incorporate battery systems alongside solar generation. GoodWe has also supplied more than 300,000 inverter units under the government&#8217;s residential rooftop solar program. We will continue working with our distribution network and key industry participants as we expand our storage offerings.

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