MNRE Adds 402 MW of Solar Cell Capacity to ALMM, Total Nears 38 GW

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Power Ministry Revises RoW Compensation Rules for Transmission Lines

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					</table>The rapid evolution of solar module technology is <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-modules-are-getting-more-powerful-junction-boxes-must-keep-up" target="_blank" rel="noopener">driving</a> changes in photovoltaic junction box design, with manufacturers moving from conventional single-box configurations toward split-box designs and higher current ratings to accommodate high-wattage modules.
Industrial consumers in Andhra Pradesh can <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-open-access-can-cut-ci-power-costs-by-up-to-%E2%82%B92-5-kwh-in-andhra-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save</a> up to ₹2.5 (~$0.026)/kWh by procuring solar power through open access, depending on their voltage level, distribution area, and consumption profile, industry executives say. Open access charges in the state vary considerably depending on the consumer’s voltage level and location, including whether they are within the same distribution area.
After the residential sector, industrial installations <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/kanpur-plywood-factory-hopes-to-save-big-on-power-bills-with-rooftop-solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accounted</a> for the second-highest share of India’s 3.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity additions in the second quarter of 2026, according to Mercom’s Q2 and 1H 2026 India Rooftop Solar Market Report. The assurance of regular power supply at affordable costs has been pushing the commercial and industrial sector towards rooftop solar projects, especially factories which depend on continuous power for efficient production.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-extends-financial-closure-deadline-for-pm-kusum-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extended</a> the deadline for eligible projects under Components A and C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan program to achieve financial closure by November 30, 2026.
The Union Cabinet <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cabinet-clears-green-energy-corridor-phase-iii-to-evacuate-135-gw-renewables" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the Green Energy Corridor Phase III program to strengthen intrastate transmission infrastructure across the country.
The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-regulator-rejects-change-in-law-claims-for-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> petitions filed by developers seeking change-in-law compensation for their 375 MW and 600 MW solar projects in Rajasthan.
RERC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rerc-denies-mining-firm-plea-for-concessional-tariff-for-btm-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruled</a> that a mining firm is not entitled to a concessional electricity tariff by including generation from its behind-the-meter captive solar projects in the computation of its combined load factor.
The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uttarakhand-allows-4-mw-solar-projects-relocation-over-evacuation-constraints" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allowed</a> a 4 MW solar project to be relocated from Dharasu to suitable private land in Uttarakhand after power evacuation constraints emerged at the original site.
The Solar Energy Corporation of India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/seci-floats-tender-for-ists-connected-solar-project-in-bihar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for the design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of a solar power project connected to the interstate transmission system in Gaya, Bihar.
NTPC Green Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-green-energy-commissions-153-9-mw-solar-capacity-in-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the commercial operation of 153.94 MW of capacity of its Kalasar Solar Energy Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Renewable energy operation and maintenance company Inox Green Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/inox-green-energy-raises-%E2%82%B93-billion-through-qip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the allocation of 18.11 million equity shares through a qualified institutions placement to eligible buyers.
Global sustainable infrastructure investor Actis <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/actis-eyes-3-gw-clean-energy-portfolio-with-new-renewables-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the launch of Leo Energies, its fourth renewable energy platform in India, with a target portfolio of over 3 GW of onshore wind, solar and battery storage assets.
KPI Green Energy is <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/kpi-green-to-acquire-507-mw-of-wind-projects-from-alfanar-and-netra" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquiring</a> a 100% equity stake in Alfanar Energy and Netra Wind, giving it access to 507.9 MW of operational wind projects owned by the two companies. The deal carries an enterprise value of ₹24.1 billion (~$251.12 million).
Blueleaf Energy, a renewable energy company owned by a Macquarie Asset Management fund, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/blueleaf-energy-acquires-40-mw-wind-project-in-karnataka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquired</a> a 40 MW operational onshore wind project in Belgaum, Karnataka. Blueleaf Energy India Investments acquired a 100% equity stake in Sanchore Renewable from Belgium-based Virya Energy NV.
Germany’s Federal Network Agency <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/germany-awards-480-mw-of-solar-plus-storage-6-mw-of-biomethane-capacity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">awarded</a> 480 MW of capacity in the auction to set up solar-plus-storage projects. The tender was issued on September 1, 2026.
Bangladesh’s Infrastructure Development Company <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bangladesh-issues-eoi-to-enlist-demand-aggregators-for-rooftop-solar-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> expressions of interest to enlist demand aggregators under its Domestic Rooftop Solar program.
Germany-based HINT.CO, H2Global’s trading arm, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/germanys-hintco-announces-winner-of-green-ammonia-supply-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the winner of the Asian lot for a long-term agreement to supply Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin ammonia to Germany. AM Green Ammonia, an India-based developer of low-carbon ammonia projects, was selected as the sole winner.

Daily News Wrap-Up: High-Wattage Modules Drive Junction Box Redesign

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					</table>India has made significant headway in expanding its solar module and cell manufacturing capacities over the years. However, a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem also requires a robust domestic supply chain for balance-of-system (BoS) and bill-of-materials (BoM) components, such as junction boxes, connectors, cables, and aluminum frames.
According to Srivatsa, General Manager, Sales and Technical Operations at <a href="https://www.genxpv.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GenX PV</a>, the biggest advantages of India’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem are shorter lead times and easy access to technical support. Additional financial and policy support could pave the way for a scale-up in the domestic solar component manufacturing ecosystem.
In an interview on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/mercom-india-renewables-summit-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Renewables Summit 2026</a> on July 1 and 2 in New Delhi, Srivatsa shared his insights on localization, backward integration, domestic manufacturing, policy support, and the future of India&#8217;s solar component ecosystem.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
India has made significant progress in module and cell manufacturing. How important is it now to strengthen the domestic manufacturing of BoS and BoM components?
If you look at the industry today, India has installed module manufacturing capacity of more than 200 GW. With around 30 GW of operational capacity, cell manufacturing is catching up rapidly, and several new projects have been announced.
For junction boxes, India already has around 120-150 GW of domestic manufacturing capacity. We are seeing a clear shift from imported products to domestically manufactured components.
One of the biggest advantages of manufacturing in India is shorter lead times and readily available technical support. If any issue arises in the field, our engineering teams can visit the site and resolve it much faster than imported suppliers can.
GenX PV has expanded from manufacturing junction boxes and connectors into aluminum frames. What drove this backward integration strategy?
Backward integration has always been part of our long-term strategy.
We started with junction boxes and subsequently integrated plastic molding. We are now moving towards cable manufacturing. Over the coming years, we plan to expand to diode manufacturing. Our objective is to establish an integrated manufacturing facility where all these components are produced under one roof.
We identified aluminum frames as another opportunity because domestic manufacturing capacity in this segment is relatively limited. We plan to establish a complete manufacturing chain, from aluminum billets and extrusion to finished module frames.
Backward integration improves cost competitiveness while providing better control over quality and delivery timelines.
Today, the pricing difference between domestic products and Chinese imports has narrowed considerably. The larger concern is product dumping rather than manufacturing competitiveness.
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Do you believe that India can localize the entire solar components ecosystem within the next few years?
Absolutely. For junction boxes alone, localization has already reached around 50% to 70%.
The remaining components, particularly diodes, will require additional investment and time. Over the next two years, we expect manufacturers to continue integrating backward and substantially increase localization across the value chain.
How competitive are domestically manufactured components compared to Chinese products?
From a manufacturing perspective, we are already competitive with Chinese suppliers.
The challenge arises when products are dumped into the Indian market at artificially low prices.That is where additional policy support could help domestic manufacturers compete on a more level-playing field.
What kind of policy support would benefit component manufacturers?
Junction boxes are among the few component categories for which policy protection remains limited. Currently, they attract only a 7.5% Basic Customs Duty (BCD), unlike components such as encapsulants, backsheets, or solar glass, where stronger protective measures already exist.
Additional policy support would encourage further domestic investment and accelerate manufacturing scale-up.
Module technologies continue to evolve toward TOPCon and HJT. How is GenX PV adapting to these technology transitions?
Our product portfolio has evolved with module technologies. We currently manufacture junction boxes supporting current ratings from 20 A to 35 A, covering conventional monocrystalline modules, TOPCon, M10, G12, HJT, and other advanced technologies.
We are also prepared for higher system voltages. Our products are already designed for applications up to 2,000 VDC, reflecting the way the industry is moving beyond the traditional 1,500 VDC standard.
Continuous investment in research and development enables us to keep up with evolving market requirements rather than reacting after technologies are commercialized.
Beyond financial incentives, what additional reforms would strengthen India&#8217;s component manufacturing industry?
A key area is the mandatory use of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-certified DC cables. While several large projects already specify BIS-certified cables, currently there is no universal requirement across the industry.
Making BIS-certified cables mandatory would improve product quality, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and create a more uniform market for Indian suppliers.
How do you see India&#8217;s BoS component manufacturing industry evolving over the next few years?
The industry is expanding rapidly. As annual solar installations continue to increase, more domestic manufacturers are entering the market and building local production capacity.
Although component manufacturing still has room for growth, we expect domestic participation to increase significantly over the next two to five years.
How is the relationship between module manufacturers and domestic component suppliers evolving?
Initially, there was considerable resistance because module manufacturers had relied on imported components for many years.
Changing established procurement practices takes time.
However, once manufacturers began using domestically produced components and observed their field performance, their confidence gradually improved.
Being an Indian manufacturer gives us an important advantage. We can provide technical assistance, engineering support, and after-sales service whenever required.
Our products comply with all relevant IEC and BIS standards, undergo additional in-house testing, and have performed reliably in the field over the past five years. That performance has helped build customer confidence.
How do you ensure your products can withstand India&#8217;s diverse climatic conditions?
Every junction box is designed to operate under a wide range of environmental conditions. We conduct extensive temperature cycling and environmental testing to ensure reliable operation regardless of whether the modules are installed in Rajasthan, Karnataka, or any other climatic region.
These qualification tests ensure long-term reliability under real-world operating conditions.
What are GenX PV&#8217;s growth plans over the next five years?
Our primary focus is backward integration.
Today, we have nearly 50 GW of junction box manufacturing capacity. Plastic molding has already been integrated, cable manufacturing will commence shortly, and diode manufacturing will follow.
All these operations will eventually be consolidated into an integrated manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.
We are also expanding into aluminum frame manufacturing. Beyond that, we will evaluate additional diversification opportunities as the market evolves.
Do you believe India can establish a fully integrated domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem?
Yes, I believe we are already well on our way.
Most of the BoM components required for junction box manufacturing are already produced domestically.
The remaining challenge is scaling the capacity to meet growing demand.
Consistent government policy, without major changes or reversals, will enable manufacturers to invest with confidence and accelerate the development of a fully integrated domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

Domestic Solar Component Manufacturing is Ramping Up Fast: Interview

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