Avaada Group Plans Major Solar Manufacturing Expansion in Nagpur
Avaada Group aims to establish a comprehensive solar manufacturing facility in Nagpur, positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy.
Avaada Group plans to invest Rs 20,000 crore in a green methanol plant in Nagpur.
The company aims to build a fully integrated solar manufacturing plant at Butibori within two years.
Avaada currently operates 7.2 GW of solar cell capacity and is expanding its production capabilities.
In a significant move for India's renewable energy sector, the Avaada Group has announced plans to establish a fully integrated solar manufacturing facility in Nagpur. Chairperson Vineet Mittal emphasized the company's vision of making Nagpur its operational hub, likening its ambitions to those of Tesla in the electric vehicle market. The Butibori facility is already recognized as one of Asia's largest, and Mittal aims to enhance its capabilities further.
The proposed solar manufacturing plant will focus on producing solar modules from raw materials, including sand, with a target completion date set for the next two years. Additionally, the company is planning to invest Rs 20,000 crore in a green methanol plant, which will complement the previously committed Rs 13,500 crore for the solar module project. However, Mittal noted that the success of these initiatives will require supportive policies from the state government.
Currently, Avaada operates 7.2 GW of solar cell capacity and 7 GW of solar module capacity in Nagpur. The company is also constructing a solar glass plant and facilities to convert polysilicon into silicon ingots and wafers. Mittal explained that the integration of these processes will create a more efficient production ecosystem, reducing logistics costs significantly.
The solar glass facility is expected to be operational within a year, with plans to co-locate additional manufacturing processes, including aluminium components and battery production, by 2028. Mittal highlighted the innovative approach of directly connecting the glass production facility to the module assembly line, which will streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
In terms of technology, Avaada's G1 format TOPCon solar cells have achieved an impressive efficiency of 26.8%. This performance translates to a module output of nearly 765 watts under standard test conditions. Mittal also advocated for expanding India's data center capacity, suggesting that increased data generation could be met with solar power solutions. Furthermore, Avaada is exploring opportunities in nuclear energy to diversify its energy portfolio and meet future power demands.
