Billionaire Muqish Ambani’s Reliance Industries has announced the commissioning of India’s first fully automated heterojunction junction (HJT) solar module production line at its Jamnagar, Gujarat, facility.

Key project details:

• Capacity: 10 GW per annum (expandable to 20 GW).
• Technology: HJT panels with record-breaking power output of up to 720 W.
• Certification: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliant.
• Vertical integration: The facility covers the entire value chain from polysilicon to finished modules, including ingot, wafer, cell, glass, and polyolefin elastomer (POE) manufacturing.

Significance for Indian Solar

• Once fully operational, the plant could be India’s largest solar module manufacturing facility.
• Reduced dependence on China: India currently imports a significant portion of its solar components, and Reliance’s project will help boost local manufacturing.
• Competition from Waaree: Waaree launched a 5.4 GW solar cell manufacturing facility in March 2024, but Reliance is looking to scale up.

Reliance’s Renewables Plans

• Solar: The company plans to build 100 GW of solar capacity in Gujarat by 2030.
• Batteries: Building 30 GW of lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity.
• Green Hydrogen: Reliance is partnering with Norway’s Nel ASA to develop a “green hydrogen ecosystem” in Kandla, Gujarat, where it will produce hydrogen using its own renewable energy capacity.

Prospects

The Reliance Industries project could be a key element in India’s strategy to develop clean energy and reduce its dependence on Chinese suppliers. Given the company’s ambitious plans and government support, India could significantly strengthen its position in the global solar energy market.