0
By clicking the button, I accept the Terms of Use of the service and its Privacy Policy, as well as consent to the processing of personal data.
Don’t have an account? Signup
Powered by :
Why G12R-Wafer Based Solar Modules Are Creating Ripples in India? Photograph: (Archive)
India’s solar manufacturing market is witnessing a technology transition. Most leading Indian solar module and solar cell manufacturers are now rapidly shifting toward G12R wafer-based modules. A number of legacy cell makers are beginning to reconfigure their production lines, while new factories are directly adopting the format. The transition is being driven by efficiency gains, cost advantages, and growing global adoption of the larger wafer size.
The move comes as Indian manufacturers seek to align with global technology trends while preparing for rising domestic demand under the government’s manufacturing push and domestic content requirements. This comes at a time when technology-advanced countries like China have already tried and tested the format and benefited from it.
The G12R wafer format (210R) is increasingly seen as the next evolution after the widely used M10 (182 mm) wafer format. Manufacturers say the format enables better module efficiency while reducing production costs and improving line utilization. Top executives from India’s solar module and cell manufacturing industry note that the format also reduces the gap between nameplate capacity and effective output, improving plant utilization levels.
Suhas Donthi, President and CEO of the Bengaluru-based Emmvee Group, explained that the industry is gradually moving toward technology. “Today we are using M10, soon we are going to be transitioning to G12R where the difference between effective capacity and nameplate capacity is smaller,” Donthi said. “If the market decides to move in the direction of G12R, there will be no difference between nameplate and effective capacity, and 85–90% utilization can be achieved.” The shift mirrors developments in China, where the majority of manufacturers have already transitioned to the format.
Indian manufacturers are adopting different strategies as the technology transition unfolds. Hyderabad-based Premier Energies is among the earliest adopters of G12R cells in India, the company said in its latest investor call. Managing Director Chiranjeev Saluja said the company’s 1.2 GW G12R TOPCon cell line has ramped up quickly.
“Our 1.2 gigawatt G12R TOPCon cell line has ramped up in a relatively short time, currently operating at 80% utilization and expected to reach full utilization by February 2026.” Saluja added that the company moved early because the global market had already transitioned. “If you look at China, almost 80% to 90% of the market has moved to G12R. Making M10 is not economical today.”
According to the company’s February 2026 investor call, Adani and Premier Energies were among the only manufacturers producing G12R cells in India, giving them a technological advantage. The company also said upgrading existing M10 cell lines to G12R could temporarily impact production. “Existing players would have to upgrade to G12R, which would mean a dip in production levels and four to six months to bring the line back to peak efficiency.”
Noida-based Alpex Solar is another manufacturer planning to adopt the format in its upcoming cell manufacturing facility. Director Vipin Sehgal said the company’s 2.2 GW cell manufacturing project will directly start with the technology. “We are bringing a 2.2 gigawatt cell line. The first phase will be 1.4 gigawatt and the second phase will be 800 megawatt. This cell line will be based on G12R size and the cell will be TOPCon.” Sehgal said adopting the format from the beginning would help reduce manufacturing costs.
“We are directly switching to G12R size, which is the latest entrant in this industry. Because of that, we will keep the cost very competitive.” The company also plans to explore further cost reductions through material innovation. “Silver cost is a major factor in this industry and in the next phase we are planning copper-based cells.”
Ashwani Sehgal, President and Managing Director of Alpex Solar, said the decision could also improve profitability. “Some people are shifting to G12R, but we are directly starting from G12R, so we will have some extra advantages.”
Emmvee Group has already begun supplying G12R modules and sees the technology as part of its broader shift toward N-type TOPCon products. Donthi noted that the company has consistently adopted technologies ahead of market transitions. “We have already started producing G12R modules and that’s already part of our orders. We are always ahead of the market in adapting.” He added that the company has already fully transitioned its module portfolio to TOPCon technology. “In FY25, about 70% of our module sales were TOPCon and 30% MonoPERC. In FY26 we are doing zero MonoPERC and 100% TOPCon.”
Gujarat-based Solex Energy is also seeing strong demand for the technology in project orders. Chairman and Managing Director Chetan Shah said customers are increasingly opting for high-efficiency G12R modules. “The demand momentum remains strong across IPP and C&I segments, particularly for high-efficiency N-type TOPCon G12R modules.”
Industry analysts say upcoming policy changes could further accelerate the adoption of G12R modules in India. Vinay Rustagi, Chief Business Officer of Premier Energies, noted that new procurement rules could favor the technology in institutional markets.
“Currently the rooftop and KUSUM markets do not make much distinction between G12R or M10. But once ALMM-II comes into place, a large institutional market will start procuring DCR modules and most customers may prefer G12R over M10.”
Industry executives believe G12R could soon become the dominant format in India as manufacturers expand cell production under the PLI scheme and domestic manufacturing push. However, the transition could take time because existing manufacturers will need to upgrade production lines while maintaining output levels to meet strong project demand.
With Chinese manufacturers already largely adopting the technology and Indian companies beginning to follow suit, G12R modules are expected to play a central role in India’s next phase of solar manufacturing expansion. For developers and investors alike, the shift could mark the beginning of a new technology cycle in the country’s rapidly growing solar sector.
G12R-based modules are solar panels built using G12R (210R) size silicon wafers, a newer rectangular wafer format developed to improve module efficiency and manufacturing economics. In comparison, M10 modules use 182 mm square wafers, which have been widely used in the solar industry over the past few years.
The key difference lies in wafer size and shape: G12R wafers are slightly larger and rectangular, allowing manufacturers to design modules with higher power output while maintaining manageable module dimensions for installation and transport. Because of this design, G12R modules can deliver higher wattage, better cell packing density, and improved production efficiency, while also helping reduce costs by lowering material usage and improving line utilization.
These advantages are why many manufacturers see G12R as a next-generation mainstream format, especially as the industry moves toward high-efficiency N-type TOPCon technologies.
We are India’s leading B2B media house, reporting full-time on solar energy, wind, battery storage, solar inverters, and electric vehicle (EV)
Quick Links
© 2025 Saur Energy. All Rights Reserved.

source