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After Modules & Cells, Pahal Solar Eyes Encapsulants, Ribbons & Frame Production Photograph: (Archive)
Indian solar manufacturer Pahal Solar is expanding its backward integration strategy beyond modules and cells, with plans to manufacture key components such as encapsulants, ribbons and frames, a senior company official told Saur Energy at the sidelines of RenewX in Chennai. 
Speaking exclusively to Saur Energy, Saravanan Muthusamy, Sales Head (South), Pahal Solar, said the company is positioning itself to control quality across the value chain rather than merely reduce costs as the key reason behind such an expansion in production of key items required for solar module manufacturing in India.
“We already have module manufacturing and have started ribbon production. Going forward, we will also have frame manufacturing and encapsulation. The idea is not just cost reduction, but to control the quality of module production,” he said. 
The company currently relies on third-party suppliers for several inputs but is standardising its module build with 40 mm frames and 520 GSM front glass encapsulation, aimed at improving durability and robustness, he said. 
On the manufacturing front, Pahal Solar showcased its G12R-based 630 Wp module at the event, alongside a DCR-compliant 570 Wp module already under production. Its existing 3 GW module manufacturing capacity is largely aligned towards advanced cell technologies, with 2.35 GW dedicated to TOPCon-based modules, while the remaining capacity caters to conventional formats.
Pahal Solar is also moving ahead with its planned 2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility, which is currently under development. “More than 50% of the approvals are in place. We have completed the bhoomi pujan and are in the process of securing all remaining clearances. We expect to begin operations in about six months,” Muthusamy said.
He emphasised that setting up a solar cell facility is significantly more complex than module assembly. “Starting a solar cell line is akin to setting up a chemical plant, involving multiple processes and regulatory approvals,” he noted. The upcoming facility will focus exclusively on TOPCon cell technology.
Reflecting broader industry trends, Pahal Solar is also planning to phase out mono PERC lines as manufacturers increasingly transition to TOPCon technology. “Very few players are continuing with mono PERC. Most are shifting to TOPCon, and we are likely to follow the same path,” Muthusamy said. The company clarified that it currently has no plans to enter battery energy storage systems (BESS) or inverter manufacturing, maintaining its focus on strengthening its solar manufacturing value chain.
The company expects policy measures such as the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to continue driving integration across the domestic industry. “Any serious module manufacturer will need to integrate into cell production to remain competitive,” he said, adding that the industry is anticipating a possible extension in implementation timelines.
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