Involt Energy Begins Construction of 1.8GW Solar Cell Plant in Gujarat, India

Involt Energy has officially broken ground on its first solar cell manufacturing plant in Gujarat. This new factory will have a production capacity of 1.78 gigawatts (GW) and will feature fully automatic systems, including AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) technology.

The plant will use advanced N-Type TOPCon solar cell technology, known for its high efficiency and reliability. According to Mr. Darshit Bhoraniya, Managing Director of Involt Energy, the plant is expected to be completed within 14 to 18 months. Equipment will be set up between late 2025 and early 2026, with trial production starting in Q2 2026 and full commercial operations beginning by mid-2026.

This is just Phase 1 of Involt’s larger plan. In Phase 2, the company aims to start local wafer manufacturing with a capacity of 3GW. This move will help reduce costs, improve quality, and build a stronger supply chain within India.

Mr. Bhoraniya pointed out that while India’s solar energy sector is growing fast, it still relies heavily on imported solar cells and wafers. In 2023 alone, 346GW of solar capacity was installed worldwide, and Indian solar panel makers saw strong growth in both domestic and global markets.

“Our goal is to support the Make in India initiative and improve the country’s energy independence,” he said. “The inclusion of solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) starting 2026 is part of the reason for this expansion. But more importantly, we have a long-term vision to grow our capabilities in solar manufacturing.”

The new facility is also expected to create significant local employment. Phase 1 will generate over 2,100 direct jobs, and Phase 2 will bring in another 1,200 direct and over 3,000 indirect jobs, helping boost the local economy and provide skill development opportunities.

While the project hasn’t yet received support from the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Involt Energy is optimistic about getting access to such incentives in the future.