India’s solar manufacturing sector is entering a decisive decade, one where scale, speed, and self-reliance will define market leaders. “What does it take to turn scale into strength in India’s fast-evolving solar sector?” In this exclusive interaction with Web News Addiction, GREW Solar reveals how its integrated approach is redefining competitiveness and driving global growth ambitions.
Mr. Vinay Thadani, Director & CEO, GREW Solar, shares exclusive insights on how the company builds competitive advantage through integration, innovation, and scale. Backed by a ₹300-crore fund infusion and major capacity expansion into cell manufacturing, GREW Solar is positioning itself as one of India’s most globally competitive “Make in India” solar manufacturers.
Excerpts Below:
- GREW Solar recently raised funds to the tune of ₹300 crores. What are the company’s key priorities for investment? How will this funding accelerate your next phase of growth?
A fully backward-integrated manufacturing model remains one of our core priorities, as it strengthens control over quality, reduces external dependencies, and supports India’s broader goal of becoming self-reliant in solar manufacturing. Our long-term vision is to build an ecosystem where modules and cells are produced within the same value chain using largely domestic capabilities.
The recent fundraise of ₹300 crores, will now be directed primarily towards expanding our upcoming 8 GW cell manufacturing facility in Narmadapuram, which plays a central role in achieving this integration. The investment will support land development, early civil work, long-lead machinery, and operational readiness for the first phase of cell production.
This facility is designed to deepen indigenous manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported cells, aligning with India’s “Make in India” and domestic value-addition goals.
Alongside this, a portion of the investment will support ongoing upgrades in module manufacturing at Dudu, particularly areas that improve production flow and process stability as we scale. We are also deploying capital to strengthen domestic sourcing partnerships, diversify supplier bases for key components, and streamline logistics to reduce turnaround times. Workforce development remains an important pillar, with plans for technical training and skill-building initiatives across MP and Rajasthan.
Collectively, these steps prepare GREW Solar for the next phase of growth while ensuring that our expansion is built on a strong, self-reliant, and domestically rooted manufacturing foundation.
- As the company has planned to expand module manufacturing at Dudu to 11 GW, including plans to add an 8 GW cell facility in Madhya Pradesh by 2026, what are some of the challenges that you anticipate in terms of labour, supply chain, etc. and how do you plan to deal with these challenges?
Scaling to the planned 11 GW of module capacity and commissioning an 8 GW cell facility will come with operational and organizational considerations. On the labour front, the requirement for technically trained manpower will rise sharply. In view of this, we are building a structured hiring and skilling model across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on machine handling, quality systems, and line-specific technical capabilities.
In addition to this, we are strengthening our talent pipeline through local hiring, in-house training programmes, and dedicated skilling initiatives, and we also plan to collaborate with institutions such as ITIs to ensure a steady flow of technically trained workers.
As we ramp up, reliance on a single supplier base becomes limiting, so we are expanding partnerships with domestic component manufacturers while maintaining global alternatives for critical materials. The move towards cell manufacturing also calls for tighter process control and stronger clean-room discipline, so we are bringing in process engineering expertise early in the setup phase.
From a logistics standpoint, we are planning staggered commissioning and phased material planning to avoid bottlenecks. Overall, the approach is to build capacities systematically, with clear buffers in manpower, material, and process discipline to ensure a stable scale-up.
- The G12R High-Power Series modules that had been recently launched promise enhanced utility-scale performance. Which are the markets that you plan to target first with your newly launched product? A bit about the same for us.
The G12R High-Power Series has been designed with utility-scale requirements in mind, and our first focus will be on markets where large-format, high-efficiency modules are preferred for upcoming utility and C&I projects. In India, we will prioritize developers operating in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, as these regions are seeing a steady pipeline of utility-scale bids and private C&I installations.
For the US market, while demand is strong, we launched the ALL BLACK Series, which is aligning our launch with compliance requirements and local partner discussions before wider penetration.
The G12R platform gives us the flexibility to serve both developers and EPCs looking for higher output per array and optimized BOS costs, so our approach will be to work closely with long-term partners while gradually expanding into new geographies where larger format modules offer a clear economic advantage.
- Scaling up production often brings challenges in maintaining consistency and efficiency. What strategies or systems have GREW Solar put in place to sustain quality and optimize cost performance as output grows?
As production expands, the key focus is maintaining uniformity across every batch and keeping cost structures predictable. At GREW Solar, we follow a very structured way of working on the shop floor. This includes regular machine checks, more frequent inspection points during production, and step-by-step quality checks that help us catch any issues early. This helps maintain stability even when throughput increases.
Internally, we are optimizing energy use within the plant, improving material flow design, and reducing handling losses, areas that directly contribute to cost stability.
We are also strengthening our production planning systems so that raw material procurement, WIP movement, and line utilization remain aligned. The upcoming cell facility will further support integrated manufacturing, reducing dependency on external sourcing and giving us more control over timelines and quality.
The idea is to scale responsibly by combining automation, trained teams, and tighter process controls, ensuring that higher volume translates into predictable quality and consistent delivery.
- The “Solar Energy Manufacturer of the Year 2025” award marks a major milestone for GREW Solar. How does this recognition reinforce your brand positioning, and does it open new avenues for international expansion?
Receiving the “Solar Energy Manufacturer of the Year 2025″ award is truly a proud moment for all of us at GREW Solar. It is a validation of the hard work, innovation, and commitment our entire team puts in every day. This recognition strengthens our brand by clearly showing the industry that we stand for quality, reliability, and forward-thinking solar solutions.
We believe this milestone will help us expand our presence in global markets and continue contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future. As part of our international strategy, we are also preparing a focused pitch for the US market, where we see strong interest in high-performance modules. Our newly introduced ALL-BLACK Series designed specifically to meet US preferences and compliance needs, will play a key role in shaping our entry and establishing early traction in the region.
- With both Indian and global markets moving towards sustainability and clean energy, how does GREW Solar see its role in the broader clean-energy transition over the next 5 years?
As India and the world accelerate their shift towards clean energy, we see GREW Solar playing a much larger and more meaningful role in the next five years. Our vision is clear: we aim to be among the leading manufacturers of India while strengthening our presence across the entire country and beyond.
We have already started strengthening our capacity with a new cell manufacturing line, by scaling module production to 11 GW and cell capacity to 8 GW. These expansions underline our focus on supporting India’s renewable-energy goals and contributing meaningfully to the global shift toward clean energy. For the US market, we have introduced the ALL BLACK Series, and are aligning our launch strategy with compliance requirements and ongoing discussions with local partners before expanding further.
For us, it is not just about growth; it is about building an ecosystem that delivers high-quality, reliable solar solutions that help create a greener future for everyone.
- Looking ahead, does GREW Solar have plans to evolve into a more integrated clean-energy player? For example by expanding into storage technologies, hybrid systems, or turnkey solar solutions?
At GREW Solar, our primary focus right now is on strengthening our core delivery of high-efficiency modules and advancing our cell manufacturing. We are investing heavily in quality, innovation, and technology to ensure our panels meet the highest global standards.
As for moving into areas like storage, hybrid systems, or turnkey solutions, we’re not closing the door. The clean-energy sector is evolving quickly, and we continuously evaluate opportunities that align with our long-term vision.
For the moment, our emphasis remains on building a strong foundation in modules and cells, and as the market evolves, we’ll explore integrated solutions where they add real value for our customers and the industry.
- Lastly, please let us know about GREW Solar’s short and long-term growth ambitions in terms of capacity, technology innovation, and sustainability? What key indicators or milestones will define success along the way?
Currently, GREW Solar is focused on strengthening our manufacturing foundation, scaling module capacity to 11 GW and cell capacity to 8 GW, while investing in technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, and the overall performance of our products. Innovation continues to shape our roadmap as we build solutions suited for the next phase of India’s clean-energy journey.
Over the long term, sustainability will remain central to how we grow, whether it is through cleaner and more efficient production lines, reduced resource consumption, responsible sourcing practices, or designing products that have a meaningful impact on lowering carbon intensity across markets. We are also working toward deeper circularity in operations, exploring ways to reduce waste, improve material recovery, and increase the durability and lifespan of our modules. These steps reflect our intent to operate not just as a manufacturer, but as a long-term partner in India’s renewable-energy transition.
Our success will be shaped by clear milestones: capacity expansion, technological progress, a stronger market presence, and consistently delivering dependable, high-efficiency solar modules. Looking ahead, GREW Solar is also preparing for its next phase of growth by planning to go public in FY27, further strengthening our position as a scalable and globally trusted ‘Make in India’ brand.
