Tata Power Commences Production Of Solar Cell At India's Largest Single-Location Plant In Tamil Nadu

TP Solar Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) on Monday (9 September) announced the start of commercial production at its 2GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

The solar cell production, currently at 2 GW capacity will bolster Tata Power's ability to supply high-quality, domestically produced solar components.

The facility is expected to ramp up production with the remaining 2 GW capacity to be added over the next 4-6 weeks, reaching peak production within the next few months.

The indigenous production of solar cells marks a significant milestone, supporting India’s ambitious clean energy goals and reducing reliance on imports.

The Tirunelveli facility is India's largest single-location solar cell and module plant, with a total manufacturing capacity of 4.3 GW.

The module production line, commissioned in October 2023, has delivered 1,250 MW of solar modules. Using cutting-edge TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) and Mono Perc technologies, the plant ensures the production of high-efficiency solar cells and modules.

A solar module is a device in which several solar cells are connected to generate more power than a single solar cell.

Tata Power has invested nearly Rs 4,300 crore in this ambitious project, reinforcing its commitment to spearhead India’s renewable energy transition, especially in the solar rooftop and utility-scale sectors, where it currently holds a 20 per cent market share and seeks further growth under initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.

The modules produced from this factory are already part of the government's approved list of models and manufacturers (ALMM), with the company anticipating that its high-quality cells will also be included in the forthcoming ALMM list for cells.

The Tamil Nadu facility’s solar cells and modules will first support Tata Power’s ongoing projects, enhancing its supply chain and laying the groundwork for future market expansion.

In addition to this new plant, Tata Power operates another premier manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka, established in 1992. Equipped with advanced technology, it has a production capacity of 682 MW for solar modules and 530 MW for solar cells and has supplied 3.73 GW of modules and 2.26 GW of cells to date.