Suhas Donti
Director - Sales and Operations Emmvee
Transparent solar cell is a new invention
Emmvee is an intelligent solar solutions producer born from an idea to implement green energy to better use. As a solar panel company, the company aims at providing universally designed products to support all kinds of contemporary and lavish living. Emmvee’s solar energy products are an amalgamation of cutting-edge technology and smart innovation for sustainable living. Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, Emmvee’s Director-Sales and Operations Suhas Donti explains the use of solar energy in the textile industry, and production and adoption of solar energy in the country.
The use of solar energy is booming. Do you think there is a need for further innovations in this field?
Innovation defines the maturity of the industry; it opens new markets and requirements. Solar energy has lot of scope for innovation from increasing efficiency to installation, manufacturing technology to maintenance practices, business models to meeting demands. The solar industry is relatively a new industry, only less than two-decades old, but a promising one that is on the verge of maturity. Innovation is the only factor to drive the boom like high energy efficiency cells, less cost to build plants, integration with energy storage systems, power purchasing models, government schemes and many more aspects.
What is the percentage of solar energy in today’s global total power consumption? By how much is this expected to rise by 2030?
Solar energy today accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the total renewable energy globally. But when it is comes to world’s total power consumption, its share is less than 5 per cent. The European Union, US and China have set very high renewable targets and solar energy production alone would exceed 3,000 GW by 2030.
Are there transparent solar cells too? In which field are they used?
Yes, the transparent solar cell is a new invention that absorbs UV and infrared light wavelengths and produce energy. These cells are still in the development stage and would need further innovation to get into the mainstream market. First of all, scaling to large production in terms of manufacturing technology, raw materials, demand, safety norms and many more things around it has to be defined. It can be a good replacement of windows at commercial and industrial establishment; yet basic factors like efficiency, and maximum power output are unclear. Emmvee is closely watching the developments in this front.
Can solar energy be stored for an indefinite period? If so, how?
The Government of India is taking all the necessary steps to make renewable energy available round the clock. This can be possible only by storing energy. Massive power storage systems will be built at a central location and the power would be later used to serve the demand. A first of its kind project is introduced in Andhra Pradesh, which is scheduled to commence operation by the end of next year. Such energy storage projects will have complete control on regional energy production, usage and fluctuating demands.
India being a tropical country has abundance of solar energy. Do you think the potential is under utilised in the country?
Currently yes, but the sector would gradually meet the potential in the next few years. India is one of the major manufacturing hubs for solar energy and it is growing as one of the largest exporters of modules. At present, India has 23 GW photovoltaic (PV) module production capacity and will add another 25 GW of module production by 2025. India would not only meet the nation’s 2030 solar target but also help the world in meeting the growing energy needs and reducing the carbon footprints. Emmvee would have a significant contribution to the country’s solar sector.
Are Emmvee’s solar panels currently used in the textile industry? In which region(s)/sector(s) is the use more?
Emmvee has supplied modules to almost every business sector. For textiles industry, we have supplied nearly 200 MW till date.
Emmvee is a 30-year-old solar company. In 1992, we started with solar water heater business and became India’s first integrated solar solutions company. Our expertise in thermal energy led the way to PV in 2006. Since then, we have supplied PV modules to different countries in six continents. Talking of India, there is not one state that we haven’t supplied our modules to, including even the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In the early years, 100 per cent of the manufactured panels went to the European market. Emmvee PV modules are performing for over 15 years in the European market. A zero-claim rate has allowed Emmvee to build immense credibility and trust in the European market. Emmvee have also supplied PV modules to the Middle East, Africa and North America, including the United States.
What would be the cost involved for an average textile unit to install panels and shift to solar energy?
Across the whole supply chain of textile companies, the major industries are spinning and knitting. The maximum energy is consumed by the spindles and knitting machines, as the continuous operation of these machines is very essential. On average, the cost of energy accounts to 40 per cent of the yarn production cost. A spinning machine with 1,000 spindles would require electricity anywhere between 200 to 250 kwh. Therefore, the industry could drastically reduce its electricity cost to a large extent by utilising solar energy. Many companies are installing solar panels for their captive consumption.
Do you see the demand for solar panels growing in the near future, especially for textile manufacturing? Why?
Every industry is making an effort to install solar or other renewable energy source to meet minor or major part of their power requirements. Textile manufacturing is very well known for adopting renewable energy like wind power for a long time. At present, textile manufacturing is one of the major industries to embrace solar. In the last financial year 2021-22, the total import of solar panel made by the textile industry is more than 350 MW. In the current financial year 2022-23, after BCD (basic customs duty) implementation, till date the industry has imported 20.13 MW at a high price of ₹35 per watt peak (Wp). The data shows the aggressiveness of the textile industries in adopting solar energy as an alternative source to their growing energy needs.
What are the next plans at Emmvee in terms of expansion, new products, etc?
Emmvee currently has 1.25GW of module manufacturing capacity in Bengaluru. Recently, we have signed an MoU with the government for expansion of manufacturing in Karnataka to increase the capacity to 3GW and get into cell manufacturing by the end of 2023.
Emmvee has two high quality manufacturing facilities and is capable of producing up to 680 Wp mono facial and bifacial modules including glass to glass with cell sizes of up to 220 mm. Some of our offerings are mono-facial modules in 450 Wp and 545 Wp, bi-facial modules with glass to glass, and transparent back sheet in 450 Wp and 545 Wp.
What will be your key suggestions for policymakers in order to boost the domestic solar manufacturing industry in the country?
The Government of India is well encouraging the local manufacturing by implementing PLI (Product-Linked Incentive) scheme and levying BCD on imports. However, the industry is looking forward to policies which are released with better clarity and last for a longer term. Better schemes and incentives for commercial and industrial (C&I) sector can boost rooftop and off grid projects. Currently, solar has fallen far behind the targets in the C&I front.
Published on: 23/11/2022
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
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