SAEL Investing 8,200 Cr. for Solar Cells and Modules Plant in UP
SAEL Industries Limited has held a ground-breaking ceremony for its solar equipment manufacturing facility in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. The 10 GW integrated manufacturing project is being developed through SAEL Solar P6 Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, with an investment of Rs. 8,200 crore.
SAEL to Commission Jewar Manufacturing Plant in 2027
The upcoming facility will manufacture TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar cells with an annual production capacity of 5 GW of solar cells and 5 GW of solar modules.
SAEL expects to commission its solar module manufacturing line in the first half of 2027, while solar cell production is scheduled to commence by the end of 2027. This new plant is being developed across 200 acres in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region.
The company’s upcoming solar manufacturing plant is expected to generate around 5,000 direct and 15,000 indirect employment opportunities.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Laxit Awla, CEO and Executive Director, SAEL Industries Ltd., said, “By integrating large-scale solar cell and module manufacturing at a single location, we are building capabilities that will serve as a solid example of vertical integration in the solar sector”.
India’s Push for Solar Manufacturing Self-Reliance
Despite rapid growth in renewable energy sector, India continues to rely on imports to meet its solar equipment requirements.
An article published on TechTimes dated 29th June 2026 highlighted that India imported USD 3.06 billion worth of solar cells during the financial year ended March 2026, representing an 86% year-on-year increase. The report also noted that India currently imports nearly 98% of its solar wafers and all of its polysilicon from China.
To reduce this dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing, the Indian government has introduced several initiatives.
One of the key measures is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), introduced in 2019 to support indigenous manufacturing. From 1st June 2026, all new solar projects are required to use modules manufactured with solar cells sourced from companies listed under the ALMM.
In addition, the government launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Solar PV Modules with a total outlay of Rs. 24,000 crore. The scheme aims to establish fully integrated domestic manufacturing facilities covering the entire value chain, from polysilicon to finished solar modules.
