In a significant boost to Indo-German cooperation in renewable energy, Solex Energy Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany’s ISC Konstanz to jointly advance research and development in high-efficiency solar cell technologies. The agreement was formally announced at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking a key step toward strengthening India’s domestic solar manufacturing capabilities through technology transfer and innovation.
R&D Collaboration to Accelerate India’s Solar Manufacturing Base
Under the new partnership, ISC Konstanz — a globally recognised solar research institute — will provide comprehensive technological support to Solex Energy for upgrading its upcoming TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar cell line. The collaboration also covers the adoption of next-generation rear-contact and c-Si tandem/perovskite solar technologies, which are at the forefront of high-efficiency cell design globally.
The agreement further includes the creation of a dedicated in-house R&D line at Solex, which will leverage ISC Konstanz’s patent portfolio and technical know-how to drive continuous innovation within India’s growing solar industry.
Leadership View: A Defining Step in Solex’s Vision 2030
Chetan Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Solex Energy, described the partnership as a milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in advanced solar manufacturing.
“This strategic collaboration with ISC Konstanz represents a defining step for Solex,” Shah said. “With their guidance, we will upgrade our upcoming TopCon cell line and move toward adopting next-generation rear-contact and silicon tandem solar technologies — ensuring that India remains at the forefront of solar innovation.”
Shah added that ISC’s involvement would strengthen Solex’s R&D ecosystem. “Their patented technologies and deep expertise will help us establish an in-house R&D department dedicated to high-efficiency solar cell development. This partnership showcases the growing synergy between Indian and European solar industries,” he said.
India’s First ‘Real-Contact’ Solar Module Launched
During the same event, Solex also unveiled India’s first “real-contact” solar module, branded as the TAPI Real Contact (TRC) module. Designed for both utility-scale and rooftop applications, the TRC module delivers up to 25% efficiency and a 665-watt peak output, offering improved low-light performance and a low temperature coefficient.
The module features a double-glass design and is backed by a 30-year performance warranty, reflecting Solex’s push toward long-term durability and higher energy yield in challenging environments.
USD 1.5 Billion Investment Planned Under Vision 2030
Outlining the company’s growth roadmap, Shah detailed Solex’s Vision 2030 plan, which includes an estimated US$1.5 billion (₹12,500 crore) investment to build a fully integrated solar manufacturing ecosystem in India.
“We aim to establish 10 gigawatts (GW) of solar cell capacity, 10 GW of module capacity, and 2 GW of ingot and wafer production by 2030,” Shah said, adding that the expansion would be executed in multiple phases.
Solex currently operates a 4 GW solar module facility and has commenced work on its new cell manufacturing unit, expected to start production by March 2027 with an initial 2.2 GW capacity.
Expanding Across Domestic and Global Markets
Responding to media queries, Shah said the expansion targets both domestic and international markets. “India’s power demand is rising by nearly 12% annually, adding around 30 GW of new demand each year,” he noted, citing Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) data. “A major share of that growth will come from renewables, making this the right time to scale up local manufacturing.”
He also confirmed that Solex is active in Germany and other European markets, and is exploring entry into the United States, once policy stability returns. “The US remains a promising market,” he said.
Balancing Capacity with Technology Upgradation
Addressing concerns about potential overcapacity in India’s solar manufacturing landscape, Shah said that continued technological advancement justifies long-term investments. “Innovation is the key to competitiveness,” he remarked. “We are building not just capacity, but capability — driven by world-class R&D and continuous upgradation.”
Indo-German Synergy for a Sustainable Future
The Solex–ISC Konstanz partnership highlights the increasing collaboration between India and Germany in clean energy research, following joint efforts in green hydrogen, solar innovation, and sustainable manufacturing. The agreement reaffirms India’s push to become a global hub for renewable energy technology and supports Germany’s vision of strengthening sustainable supply chains across Asia.
