Navitas Solar announced plans to invest approximately ₹1,500 crore in Gujarat to establish a 3.6 GW solar cell manufacturing facility and a pilot wafer and ingot production line. The project will be located at the company’s Ankleshwar campus and marks a significant step in its strategy to deepen backward integration and reduce dependence on imported solar components. The investment also represents Navitas Solar’s entry into the solar cell manufacturing segment, strengthening its position across the solar value chain.
Strategic Move Amid Growing Localization Push
The expansion comes at a time when India’s solar industry is preparing for stricter localization requirements that are expected to extend beyond modules and cells to upstream components such as wafers and ingots. By investing in domestic manufacturing capabilities, Navitas Solar aims to align itself with future policy developments while supporting India’s objective of building a self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem. Vineet Mittal, Director – Finance and Strategy, Navitas Solar, stated that the new solar cell manufacturing facility and pilot wafer-ingot line will be developed at the Ankleshwar site with a total investment of around ₹1,500 crore.
Majority of Investment Allocated to Solar Cell Facility
Of the proposed investment, approximately ₹1,400 crore will be directed toward establishing the 3.6 GW solar cell manufacturing plant. The remaining ₹100 crore will be invested in the pilot wafer and ingot production line. The solar cell facility is expected to significantly enhance the company’s manufacturing capabilities and enable greater control over critical components within the solar supply chain.
Building on Existing Manufacturing Strength
Navitas Solar currently operates manufacturing facilities in Gujarat with a combined solar module production capacity of 3 GW. The company’s manufacturing footprint includes a 0.5 GW module facility in Surat, which has been operational for more than 11 years, and a 2.5 GW module manufacturing plant in Ankleshwar that was commissioned last year. According to the company, the Ankleshwar facility is currently operating at an annual utilization rate of approximately 65–70%, reflecting strong demand for its products.
Developing Expertise in Upstream Solar Manufacturing
In addition to expanding into solar cell production, Navitas Solar is investing in a pilot wafer and ingot line to develop technical expertise in upstream solar manufacturing. Mittal explained that the pilot project is intended to serve as a learning platform that will help the company build capabilities in one of the most technologically complex areas of the solar value chain. “The pilot wafer and ingot line is essentially a learning curve for us. Manufacturing ingots is highly technical and complex. We want to build capabilities well in advance and be prepared for the proposed localization requirements for upstream solar manufacturing,” he said.
Strengthening India’s Solar Manufacturing Ecosystem
The planned investment underscores Navitas Solar’s commitment to supporting India’s renewable energy ambitions while creating a more integrated domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem. By expanding into solar cells and developing expertise in wafer and ingot production, the company aims to capture a larger share of the solar value chain, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce dependence on imports. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, as India accelerates its transition toward clean energy and self-reliance in renewable technologies, investments such as these are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s solar manufacturing capabilities and global competitiveness.
