About Vikram Solar Limited

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Vikram Solar Limited is one of India’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers in terms of operational capacity as of March 31, 2025, with over 17 years of industry experience (Source: CRISIL Report). The company has an installed manufacturing capacity of 4.50 GW and an ALMM enlisted capacity of 2.85 GW as of June 30, 2025. Recognitions include BloombergNEF Tier 1 Manufacturer (latest inclusion Q1 2025) and the EUPD Top Brand PV Seal (May 2025).

Manufacturing operations began in 2009 with 12 MW capacity, expanding to 4.50 GW with facilities at Falta SEZ, West Bengal and Oragadam, Tamil Nadu, strategically located near ports, rail, and road networks. Expansion plans target 15.50 GW by FY 2026 and 20.50 GW by FY 2027, along with backward integration into solar cell manufacturing (3 GW + 9 GW in Tamil Nadu) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) of 1 GWh expandable to 5 GWh by FY 2027.

Product portfolio includes PERC, N-Type, and HJT high-efficiency solar PV modules, available in bifacial and monofacial configurations, with wattages from 395 Wp to 735 Wp and efficiencies up to 23.66%. Modules undergo accelerated stress tests and offer 12-year product warranties and 27–30-year performance warranties.

The company has been a Top Performer in PVEL’s Reliability Scorecard for seven consecutive years, executed notable projects such as the world’s first fully solarized airport at Cochin and India’s first floating solar plant, and integrates AI, machine learning, and automation in manufacturing.

Sales channels cover domestic markets (key accounts and distribution networks) and exports to 39 countries, with a network of 83 distributors and 250+ dealers in India. Key clients include NTPC, Adani Green Energy, ACME Cleantech, JSW Energy, and others. Since inception, shipments exceed 7.12 GW globally.

EPC and O&M services have delivered 200+ projects totaling 1.41 GW, though these are not the primary focus going forward. Financing for expansions includes ₹7,040.17 million (private placement, June 2024) and ₹17,000 million IREDA loan for Phase-I of a PLI scheme-backed integrated facility in Tamil Nadu.

Sustainability credentials include UNGC net-zero commitment, SBTi endorsement, and EcoVadis Platinum Medal (top 1% globally). Awards include Hurun Industry Achievement Award 2024, Best Green Energy Initiative Company of the Year 2022, and Deloitte Enterprise Growth Award 2025.

The company had 1,612 full-time employees and 974 contractual employees as at March 31, 2025. The Bankers to the company are Indian Bank, State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Canara Bank, IDBI Bank Limited, Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Export-Import Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Axis Bank Limited, Central Bank of India, Aditya Birla Finance Limited, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, HDFC Bank Limited, ICICI Bank Limited and Standard Chartered Bank.

INDUSTRY ANALYSIS

Overview of India’s Power Sector

India’s power sector is among the most diversified in the world, encompassing conventional sources such as coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro, and nuclear, as well as an expanding base of non-conventional sources like wind, solar, biomass, and municipal waste. Over the years, Transmission and Distribution (T&D) infrastructure has grown extensively, enabling efficient evacuation of power from generating stations to consumption hubs through both intra-state and inter-state transmission systems (ISTS).

The sector operates under a highly regulated framework, with key responsibilities divided among the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). The Ministry of Power (MoP) works closely with CERC and CEA, with CERC focusing on tariff approvals and licensing, while CEA serves as the technical advisor, overseeing power demand estimation, and planning generation and transmission capacities.

Policy Reforms and Renewable Energy Push

A turning point came with the Electricity Act, 2003, which mandated SERCs to promote renewable energy by ensuring grid connectivity and mandating minimum purchase obligations. This was followed by the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, introducing the National Solar Mission (NSM) in 2010 with an initial 20 GW solar power target. Ambitions escalated in 2015, with the renewable energy (RE) goal revised to 175 GW by 2022 — including 100 GW solar, 60 GW wind, 10 GW biomass, and 5 GW small hydro.

India’s global climate commitment at COP26 set the tone for the next decade, pledging net-zero emissions by 2070 and a 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, including 280 GW solar. Other targets include meeting 50% of energy needs from non-fossil sources, reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45%, and cutting 1 billion tonnes of emissions between 2021–2030.

To achieve these goals, the government has launched several key initiatives, such as 100% FDI in renewables, waiver of ISTS charges for solar and wind projects commissioned before June 2025, a defined Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) trajectory till 2030, development of ultra-mega renewable parks, and Green Energy Corridor projects. Financial reforms like Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) rules, Letter of Credit (LC) mandates, and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) aim to strengthen the financial health of discoms and ensure timely payments to RE generators.

Technological and strategic measures include the National Green Hydrogen Mission targeting 5 MTPA green hydrogen capacity and 125 GW associated RE capacity, massive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) funding with a target of 30,000 MWh capacity, and a Transmission System Plan for 500 GW RE integration by 2030 involving over ₹2.44 trillion investment in HVDC and AC lines, plus offshore wind evacuation infrastructure.

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India’s Power Demand-Supply Dynamics

Electricity consumption per capita rose from 1,010 kWh in FY2015 to 1,395 kWh in FY2024 at a CAGR of ~3.65%, driven by rural electrification, industrial growth, higher domestic demand, and improved supply hours. While still lower than countries like Brazil and China, per capita usage is projected to reach 1,600–1,650 kWh by FY2030 as electric vehicle (EV) adoption, data center demand, and railway electrification increase consumption.

By June 2025, total installed capacity reached 485 GW, growing at ~5.6% CAGR since FY2014. Coal and lignite continue to dominate with 45.7% share, but RE installations (including large hydro) now stand at 234 GW, nearly 48.3% of total capacity, compared to just 63 GW in 2012. Solar capacity alone surged to 116 GW from less than 1 GW in 2010.

Energy deficits have sharply declined — from 3.7% in FY2015 to 0.1% in FY2025 — due to capacity additions and stronger transmission networks. Peak demand touched 250 GW in FY2025, up from 164 GW in FY2018, reflecting rising cooling loads during extreme summer months. Looking forward, peak demand is projected to hit ~335 GW by FY2030 with an annual growth of 5–6%.

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Outlook for Capacity and RE Growth

India’s installed capacity is projected to reach 700–710 GW by FY2030, with RE (excluding large hydro) contributing ~50%. Solar is expected to add 150–170 GW between FY2026–2030, with an upside of 45–50 GW from green hydrogen projects. Battery storage capacity could reach 23–24 GW by 2030 to balance peak loads.

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Solar Sector: The Growth Engine of India’s RE

India’s renewable energy capacity, including large hydro, has surged to 234 GW as of June 2025, from just 63 GW in 2012. Solar has led this charge, reaching 116 GW, supported by aggressive government tendering, cost reductions, and sustainability commitments. In H1 CY2025, India added a record 22 GW of RE (excl. large hydro), of which solar accounted for 18.4 GW — a 51% year-on-year jump.

The rooftop solar segment, though lagging initial targets, is picking up pace. Installed capacity stood at 17.02 GW in March 2025, with ~5.15 GW added in FY2025. Government schemes like PM Surya Ghar Yojana, targeting solarisation of 10 million households, and state-level initiatives in Maharashtra and Rajasthan are expected to accelerate growth. CRISIL estimates 28–30 GW rooftop additions between FY2026–2030, boosted by the approval for net metering up to 1 MW.

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Solar Equipment Manufacturing Landscape

India’s solar manufacturing capacity has grown significantly, with 91 GW module capacity (ALMM-listed, June 2025) and ~25 GW cell capacity. Module capacity is projected to hit 110–120 GW by March 2026, though operational capacity remains at less than 50% of nameplate. The gap in cell-to-module capacity is due to limited vertical integration.

The PLI scheme, with a combined outlay of ₹240 billion, is driving integrated manufacturing across polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules. By FY2030, CRISIL projects 175–185 GW module capacity, with ~25% fully integrated. Gujarat is expected to account for 55–60% of capacity additions over the next five years.

Technologically, India has transitioned largely to Mono-PERC, which holds ~84% market share, but N-type and HJT modules are gaining ground, offering 1–2.5% higher efficiency. Future innovations like tandem perovskite-silicon hybrids promise efficiencies beyond 30%, potentially transforming cost-to-output economics. Developers are increasingly opting for bifacial modules with trackers to maximise yield.

BUSINESS STRENGTHS

1. Leading Domestic Solar PV Module Manufacturer
Vikram Solar is among India’s largest solar PV module manufacturers, with 4.50 GW of operational capacity and actual production of 1,286.10 MW as of March 31, 2025.

2. Strong R&D and Quality Control
The company’s technical leadership is driven by a strong R&D focus, advanced quality control systems, and talent retention. Digital technologies such as machine learning and robotic process automation are integrated into manufacturing, enabling product innovations including M10R, G12, G12R, N-Type (Hypersol), and HJT (Suryava) modules, as well as composite frames, alloy steel frames, and enhanced bi-facial designs. Collaborations with academic institutions target CTM loss reduction through optical modelling and design optimization.

3. Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
Fully automated facilities employ high-quality equipment sourced from Japan, Germany, the United States, Switzerland, and China. Automation is supported by SAP/BI-based control algorithms, with enterprise applications such as Ariba integrated into ERP (SAP) for efficient supply chain and procurement management.

4. Extensive Market Presence
The company has a pan-India network spanning 19 states and two union territories, with authorised distributors increasing from 41 in September 2024 to 83 by mid-2025, and dealers growing from 64 to over 250 in the same period. Regional operations are organised under cluster heads and territory managers for targeted market penetration in high-demand regions.

5. Recognised Brand and Product Quality
Vikram Solar holds repeated Tier 1 Bloomberg NEF listings since 2014, with the latest in Q1 2025, and received the EUPD Top Brand PV Seal in May 2025. Facilities maintain high automation, minimal human interference, and stringent inspection processes, with R&D labs delivering consistently high performance.

6. Robust Financial Performance and Risk Management
A strong order book and disciplined risk management underpin sustainable growth. International contracts operate on a cost-plus revenue model to mitigate price volatility, while domestic orders are secured by back-to-back vendor contracts and capacity blocks, ensuring margin stability.

7. Experienced Leadership
Led by Chairman and Managing Director Gyanesh Chaudhary, a two-decade industry veteran with multiple leadership awards and positions in national industry bodies, the management team combines deep technical expertise with proven execution capability. Chairman Emeritus Hari Krishna Chaudhary was honoured with the 2024 Hurun Industry Achievement Award for contributions to renewable energy solutions.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

1. Expand Domestic Manufacturing and Backward Integration
Maintain leadership in India’s solar PV module market through capacity expansion from 4.50 GW in 2024 to 15.50 GW by FY26 and 20.50 GW by FY27, alongside backward integration into solar cell manufacturing with 12.00 GW capacity in Tamil Nadu by FY27. Diversify into battery energy storage systems (BESS) with an initial 1.00 GWh facility, expandable to 5.00 GWh by FY27.

2. Accelerate Product Innovation
Adopt emerging solar technologies early and develop advanced products to expand the portfolio and secure higher order volumes.

3. Scale BESS Operations
Establish large-scale BESS manufacturing to meet India’s projected demand of 41.7 GW/208 GWh by FY30, enabling round-the-clock renewable power supply.

4. Strengthen Domestic Retail and Distribution Network
Expand the retail and distribution footprint to meet surging demand from rooftop, industrial, and commercial solar segments, targeting high-growth regions across India.

5. Increase Global Market Share
Capitalize on rising international demand and reduced reliance on Chinese imports post-UFLPA by expanding exports, projected to reach 25 GW between FY24–FY28.

6. Diversify Supply Chain
Broaden the supplier base to mitigate risks from geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions, ensuring stable raw material availability.

7. Enter Captive C&I Solar Projects
Target the untapped Commercial & Industrial renewable energy segment, focusing on high-consumption industries and states with favorable solar policies.

8. Advance Decarbonization Initiatives
Implement ESG-driven projects, including solar PV waste recycling, to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability.

9. Leverage Strategic Locations
Utilize manufacturing units in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu with proximity to ports, rail, and road networks for efficient domestic and international operations.

BUSINESS RISK FACTORS & CONCERNS

1. Revenue Concentration in Solar PV Modules
In Fiscal 2025, Fiscal 2024, and Fiscal 2023, 98.23%, 97.34%, and 46.84% of operational revenue was derived from solar PV modules, making sustained demand for this product critical to business performance.

2. Dependence on Manufacturing Expansion
Business growth is tied to the timely and cost-effective construction of a new integrated 3.00 GW solar cell and 3.00 GW module facility in Tamil Nadu (Phase-I), with planned expansion to 6.00 GW (Phase-II). Delays, cost overruns, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals could impact operations and reputation.

3. Raw Material Price Volatility
The cost of solar PV cells—largely influenced by wafer prices—forms a significant portion of manufacturing costs. Price volatility could adversely affect margins.

4. Import Dependence on Limited Geographies
In Fiscal 2025, Fiscal 2024, and Fiscal 2023, 80.68%, 61.42%, and 57.47% of imported raw materials came from China, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Any restrictions or export duties from these regions could disrupt supply and raise costs.

5. Export Market Dependence on U.S. Policies
Exports accounted for 1.00%, 61.58%, and 21.63% of revenue in Fiscal 2025, Fiscal 2024, and Fiscal 2023, with over 96% of export sales in Fiscal 2025 going to the United States. Unfavourable changes in U.S. trade policies or duties could severely impact revenues.

6. Global Operational Risks
Operations span 39 countries with diverse regulatory, political, and economic environments. Challenges include currency fluctuations, infrastructure gaps, trade restrictions, and political instability, which could disrupt business activities.

7. Short-Term Supplier Relationships
Solar PV cells and other key raw materials are procured mainly through short-term purchase orders without long-term supply contracts, creating a risk of supply shortages or price spikes.

8. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Global supply chain disruptions or adverse changes in the economic, regulatory, or political environment of operating regions could negatively affect operations and financial results.

Summary:
Vikram Solar’s risks center on heavy reliance on solar PV modules, dependence on timely manufacturing expansion, raw material price volatility, geographic concentration of imports, exposure to U.S. trade policies, operational challenges across diverse international markets, short-term supplier arrangements, and global supply chain vulnerabilities.