MR. GAUTAM MOHANKA

Q. In a highly competitive renewable energy market, what makes Gautam Solar stand out?

What unique advantages does your brand offer to customers? Gautam Solar stands out in the competitive renewable energy market by leveraging cuttingedge technology and innovation. We use state-ofthe-art machinery from leading global suppliers and fully automated manufacturing setup with advanced robotics to ensure precision and efficiency. Our commitment to innovation is reflected in our numerous patents and IPs, such as a patent design registration for a solar panel frame design that halves installation time and costs. We are also working in the indigenization of solar production technology in India, aligning with the country’s vision of becoming a solar manufacturing powerhouse. With strict quality control, A+ grade raw materials, and use of AI technology, Gautam Solar ensures the highest standards of performance and reliability.

Q.Can you highlight Gautam Solar’s key focus areas and elaborate on the core philosophy that drives your brand?

Gautam Solar focuses on manufacturing highquality solar panels tailored for large-scale projects, leveraging advanced technology like round ribbon, integrated non-destructive cutting and a fully automated manufacturing setup to deliver reliable and efficient solutions. We have more than 27 years of experience, surpassing the typical 25- year lifetime of a solar PV plant and have been constantly innovating to meet the growing energy demands. Our strong financial foundation ensures long-term sustainability and trust, positioning us as a key player in the Indian solar energy sector. Our core philosophy is driven by a commitment to quality, technological excellence, and empowering a greener future.

Q.Could you walk us through the unique features and innovative services Gautam Solar provides, particularly in the N-Type TopCon Solar Modules segment?

Gautam Solar stands out with its advanced N-Type TopCon Solar Modules, offering higher efficiencies up to 22.84% (590 Wp), lower degradation rates of 1% in first year and 0.4% annually from years 2-30, and better performance in low-light conditions. These modules have a longer lifespan of 30 years and better temperature coefficient of -0.30%/°C, ensuring temperature-resistance, making them ideal for diverse climates. These panels are ALMM & BIS approved and are also certified as per UL & IEC standards. Additionally, these panels also provide BOS Cost Savings of 3.26% and LCOE reduction of 1.56%, providing better ROI on your investment over the lifetime of the plant. Their focus on innovation and reliability sets them apart in the solar industry.

Q. Could you share insights into some of the major projects where Gautam Solar Modules have been successfully deployed?

Gautam Solar modules have been successfully deployed in some major projects. For instance, our high-efficiency solar panels are deployed at Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal. We also supplied 5 MW panels over 2 phases for a 10 MW solar plant in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand where installation was difficult but our panels generated approximately 16-17% more power than solar plants in surrounding areas, despite experiencing 25% more power cuts. Apart from this, we recently supplied our panels to an EPC company for a 12 MW Utility scale project in Vadodara District, Gujarat. Our panels have also been installed in government buildings like NABARD and FCI in Thiruvananthapuram, Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, CDTI in Jaipur and NHSRCL’s Building in Ahmedabad. We have also supplied panels for projects by government agencies like Coal India, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) etc.

Q. What are some of the significant milestones Gautam Solar has achieved over the past five years?

Some of the significant milestones that Gautam Solar has achieved over the past five years include:

• Patents & IPs: Gautam Solar, thoroughly focused on research and innovation, has been granted multiple patents & IPs, including design registrations for a solar panel frame design that halves the number of fasteners used in installation, thus saving both installation time and costs and a tool for bussing process in solar panel manufacturing which reduces the manual labor significantly, and at a fraction of a cost of an Auto Bussing machine.

• Capacity Expansion: Over the last five years, we have greatly expanded our solar module manufacturing capacity and now we are working on adding solar cell manufacturing into the mix, apart from our upcoming module capacity expansion in Bhiwani.

• Launch of multiple products: Gautam Solar has always been pioneers in embracing cuttingedge technology and over the last 5 years, we launched multiple products including Mono PERC full cell panels, Mono PERC Half-Cut cell panels, Mono PERC Bifacial Panels and now we recently launched our latest offering: N-type TOPCon Panels.

Q.What are the top three innovations or advancements we can expect from Gautam Solar in the second half of 2024?

The top three advancements Gautam Solar will deliver in the second half of 2024 include:

1. Expansion of our solar panel manufacturing capacity with our new Bhiwani plant to meet the increasing demand of ALMM-enlisted solar panels. We are expanding to 4 GW cumulative capacity by March 2025.

2. Progress on the development of our solar cell manufacturing facility, set to be operational by April 2026. Although we have a 60 acre land parcel in Bhiwani where our module manufacturing capacity expansion will take place, we are open to considering other locations based on the overall ecosystem. We aim to finalize the location by the year-end.

3. Our efforts to secure a patent design registration for an innovative packaging pallet design, aimed at preventing micro-cracks during transit by securely holding panels in place, even on bumpy roads.

Q.What are the key advantages Gautam Solar offers, and how does the company serve as an energy transition partner for its customers?

Gautam Solar stands out with over 27 years of experience, surpassing the typical power plant lifetime, and a stable, family-owned management structure that allows for long-term decision-making. We leverage the latest technology and fullyautomated manufacturing setup for producing highefficiency panels. Our strong financial background enables us to honor warranty provisions. With a Pan-India presence and certified, high-quality products, we are a reliable partner in driving the energy transition for our customers.

Q.How do you envision India’s renewable energy sector unlocking the path to net-zero emissions, and what role does Gautam Solar play in promoting sustainability?

India’s renewable energy sector is key to achieving net-zero emissions by transitioning to clean, sustainable energy sources. At Gautam Solar, we contribute to this vision by leveraging the latest technology to manufacture high-quality, indigenous solar panels. Our commitment to innovation and local production helps power the future with renewable energy, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and promoting sustainability across the country