Sunkind India enters solar module manufacturing with Rs 1,200-1,500-cr cell order ahead of ALMM-II Energy Watch
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Sunkind India enters solar module manufacturing with Rs 1,200-1,500-cr cell order ahead of ALMM-II

Solar EPC and IPP firm Sunkind India is diversifying into module manufacturing, with a 1 GW line near Jaipur set for commercial launch next month

EW Bureau

New Delhi: Renewable energy (RE) solutions company Sunkind India is expanding into solar module manufacturing, setting up a 1 gigawatt (GW) production line on the outskirts of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The facility is currently in a trial phase and is expected to begin commercial operations in June. To anchor the new vertical, the company has placed a procurement order worth Rs 1,200–1,500 crore for solar cells with a domestic manufacturer.

What the MD said

Managing Director Hanish Gupta confirmed the development, saying Sunkind India has set up a 1 GW solar module manufacturing line near Jaipur, adding that "the project is under trial and would be commercially operational by June."

On the cell sourcing arrangement, Gupta said the company has "signed an agreement with a domestic solar cell manufacturer to source 1 gigawatt of DCR (domestic content requirement) solar cells to support the upcoming business vertical," with the order valued at around Rs 1,200–1,500 crore.

When asked to identify the supplier, Gupta declined, saying, "The name of the domestic entity cannot be shared on account of a non-disclosure agreement signed with the cell manufacturer."

Why cells, and why now

Solar panels are assemblies of modules, which in turn contain cells. Cell production itself depends on ingots, which are derived from wafers, placing cells at a critical midpoint in the solar manufacturing chain.

Gupta explained that the supply agreement is designed to ensure access to ALMM-mandated cells for module production, noting that "the government's ALMM-II, effective June 1, mandates the use of only India-made cells in renewable projects to support the domestic industry."

The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) Phase II regulation, kicking in on June 1, requires that only domestically manufactured cells be used in renewable energy projects, making cell sourcing a compliance imperative, not just a commercial one.

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How it fits into the business

Sunkind India currently operates in solar EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and IPP (independent power producer) projects, with a focus on commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. In-house module production is expected to serve both these business lines, reducing dependence on external suppliers and improving execution economics across its project portfolio.

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