Overview
Navitas Solar will invest ₹1,500 crore to set up a 3.6 GW solar cell plant in Gujarat, along with a pilot wafer & ingot line. Civil work for the 10 lakh sq ft facility is underway, with Phase I targeted for 2027. The project will create 1,000 direct jobs and reduce import dependence.
A Major Push for Domestic Solar Manufacturing
Navitas Solar, a Gujarat-based solar module manufacturer, has announced a major expansion. The company plans to invest around ₹1,500 crore to set up a 3.6 GW high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. The project also includes a pilot wafer and ingot production line . This marks Navitas Solar’s entry into solar cell manufacturing and comes at a time when India is pushing for greater self-reliance in the solar supply chain.
Project Features and Timeline
The proposed facility is part of Navitas Solar’s strategy to deepen backward integration and reduce dependence on imported components. The first phase is targeted for commissioning in 2027 , with subsequent capacity additions planned thereafter, subject to market conditions and project readiness. Civil work for the project, covering more than 10 lakh square feet , is already underway. The company has also completed technology partnerships and appointed a leadership team to manage the new solar cell business vertical.
Investment Breakdown
| Component |
Investment |
| 3.6 GW Solar Cell Plant |
~₹1,400 crore |
| Pilot Wafer & Ingot Line |
~₹100 crore |
| Total |
~₹1,500 crore |
Of the total investment, approximately ₹1,400 crore will be deployed towards establishing the 3.6 GW solar cell manufacturing facility, while ₹100 crore will be invested in the pilot wafer and ingot line. The capital expenditure plan uses a 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio , with funding from public sector banks, internal cash generation, and a proposed third equity round.
Employment and Supply Chain Impact
The expansion is expected to create nearly 1,000 direct jobs across manufacturing, engineering, operations, project execution, quality assurance, and research functions. Significant indirect employment will also be generated in logistics, ancillary industries, and supporting services.
The project is linked to domestic value addition in India’s solar supply chain and to reduced import dependence in solar cell production. It comes as the government has operationalised the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar photovoltaic cells from June 1, 2026 , making domestically manufactured cells increasingly important.
Why This Matters for India’s Solar Sector
Navitas Solar currently operates manufacturing facilities with a combined solar module capacity of 3 GW in Gujarat. This includes a 0.5 GW unit in Surat that started operations more than 11 years ago and a 2.5 GW module manufacturing facility in Ankleshwar that was commissioned last year.
The new cell plant will allow the company to capture a larger share of the solar value chain. The government has also proposed extending the ALMM framework to solar wafers, making the pilot wafer and ingot line a strategic move.
A Human Touch
Vineet Mittal, Director Finance & Strategy at Navitas Solar, said: “Our planned integrated manufacturing expansion in Gujarat is a strategic step towards building a future-ready platform across modules, cells and deeper backward integration. With civil work underway, technology partnerships in place, key government approvals secured, and senior leadership appointed to drive the project, we are progressing with a clear focus on execution, quality, innovation and long-term competitiveness” .
Regarding the pilot wafer and ingot line, he added: “The pilot wafer and ingot line is essentially a learning curve for us. Manufacturing ingots is highly technical and complex. We want to build capabilities well in advance and be prepared for the proposed localisation requirements for upstream solar manufacturing” .
Exam-Focused Points
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Company: Navitas Solar (Gujarat-based solar module manufacturer)
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Investment: ~₹1,500 crore
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Location: Ankleshwar campus, Gujarat
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Solar cell capacity: 3.6 GW
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Pilot line: Wafer and ingot production
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Phase I commissioning target: 2027
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Civil work area: More than 10 lakh sq ft
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Jobs created: Nearly 1,000 direct jobs
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Funding mix: 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio
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Solar cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
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Solar wafers are thin slices of semiconductor material used in solar cell production.
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Ingots are large blocks of purified semiconductor material used to make wafers.
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Ankleshwar is an industrial hub in Bharuch district, Gujarat.
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ALMM List-II for solar cells was operationalised from June 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Navitas Solar’s new investment in Gujarat?
A: Navitas Solar is investing ~₹1,500 crore to set up a 3.6 GW solar cell manufacturing facility and a pilot wafer and ingot production line in Ankleshwar, Gujarat.
Q2: When will the first phase be commissioned?
A: Phase I is targeted for commissioning in 2027 .
Q3: How many jobs will this project create?
A: The project is expected to create nearly 1,000 direct jobs across manufacturing, engineering, operations, and research functions.
Q4: Why is this investment important for India?
A: India has a large gap between module manufacturing capacity (~210 GW) and cell manufacturing capacity (~27 GW). This investment helps reduce import dependence and strengthens domestic solar manufacturing.
Q5: What is the ALMM framework?
A: The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is a government framework requiring developers of government-backed solar projects to source equipment from approved domestic manufacturers. ALMM List-II for solar cells was operationalised from June 1, 2026 .