Indian solar manufacturer Navitas Solar has unveiled plans to invest approximately ₹1,500 crore in a major manufacturing expansion in Gujarat, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening India’s domestic solar supply chain and supporting the country’s clean energy ambitions.
The proposed project will include a 3.6 GW solar cell manufacturing facility along with a pilot wafer and ingot production line, helping the company expand beyond module manufacturing and deepen its presence across the solar value chain.
The investment comes at a crucial time as India accelerates efforts to reduce reliance on imported solar components and build a self-reliant renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem.
Expanding Domestic Solar Manufacturing Capacity
Navitas Solar said the integrated manufacturing project will be developed in multiple phases, with the first phase expected to become operational by 2027. Additional capacity expansions will be implemented based on market demand and project readiness.
Construction activity is already underway, with civil works covering more than one million square feet currently in progress.
The company has also secured technology partnerships and strengthened its leadership team to oversee the development of its new manufacturing operations.
According to Navitas Solar, the upcoming solar cell facility will feature advanced automation and will be designed to support future upgrades, enabling the production of next-generation solar technologies as market requirements evolve.
Backward Integration Strategy Gains Momentum
As part of its long-term manufacturing roadmap, Navitas Solar plans to establish a pilot wafer and ingot production line in 2027.
The move represents a significant step toward backward integration, allowing the company to participate in higher-value segments of the solar manufacturing process.
Currently, a substantial portion of wafer and ingot requirements in India continues to be met through imports. By investing in upstream manufacturing capabilities, Navitas Solar aims to improve supply chain resilience while contributing to India’s broader goal of developing a complete domestic solar ecosystem.
Supporting India’s Clean Energy and Manufacturing Goals
India has been actively promoting local solar manufacturing through policy initiatives designed to strengthen domestic production and reduce import dependency.
The company’s expansion aligns with the government’s efforts under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II framework, which is expected to increase demand for domestically produced solar photovoltaic cells.
Industry experts believe the policy shift will encourage greater investments in solar cell manufacturing and accelerate the development of local supply chains across the renewable energy sector.
Commenting on the expansion, Vineet Mittal, Director – Finance and Strategy at Navitas Solar, said:
“India’s clean energy transition requires strong domestic manufacturing capabilities across the entire solar value chain. Our planned integrated manufacturing expansion in Gujarat is a strategic step towards building a future-ready platform across modules, cells and deeper backward integration.”
He added:
“With civil work underway, technology partnership in place, key government approvals secured and senior leadership appointed to drive the project, we are progressing with a clear focus on execution, quality, innovation and long-term competitiveness.”
Mittal further noted that the investment reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing supply chain resilience and supporting India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
The Gujarat expansion is expected to generate significant employment opportunities across multiple sectors.
Navitas Solar estimates the project will create nearly 1,000 direct jobs in areas including:
- Manufacturing operations
- Engineering and technical services
- Quality assurance
- Research and development
- Project execution
- Plant operations
In addition, the project is expected to support indirect employment through logistics, supply chain services, equipment manufacturing, and ancillary industries.
Building on Existing Manufacturing Strength
Navitas Solar currently operates 3 GW of annual solar module manufacturing capacity and produces a broad portfolio of solar solutions, including Mono PERC and TOPCon modules ranging from 40 watts to 720 watts.
The company has also expanded into solar component manufacturing through its subsidiary, Navitas Alpha Renewables Pvt. Ltd., which produces solar encapsulants used in photovoltaic module manufacturing.
The new investment will further strengthen the company’s integrated manufacturing capabilities while supporting the increasing demand for high-efficiency solar technologies in India and international markets.
Outlook
As India continues to scale renewable energy deployment and pursue ambitious solar capacity targets, investments in domestic manufacturing are becoming increasingly important.
Navitas Solar’s ₹1,500 crore expansion represents a significant step toward building a more resilient and self-sufficient solar industry. By adding solar cell, wafer, and ingot production capabilities, the company is positioning itself to play a larger role in India’s energy transition while contributing to the development of a globally competitive clean energy manufacturing ecosystem.
