This month India witnessed bittersweet news on the solar power front for its Make In India program that promotes foreign investment in the manufacturing sector.
The world’s largest solar module manufacturer, Trina Solar, suspended plans to set up a module manufacturing facility in the eastern state of Andhra Pradesh. On the heels of this news came the announcement by Netherlands-based Hyet Solar that it is seeking local partners for a €200 million solar module manufacturing facility in the north-eastern state of Assam.
Hyet Solar specializes in flexible solar panels and sheets which can be used in buildings and vehicles. The company currently has one production facility in the Netherlands and plans to expand into India. No major suppliers of flexible solar panels come to mind that have a presence in India, and so Hyet can gain the early-mover’s advantage.
Assam is an interesting choice for setting up a solar equipment manufacturing unit. It is located in the northeast, a region of India that remains largely neglected when it comes to big industrial investments. However, Hyet’s choice of location may eventually prove beneficial. The central government is pushing policies to promote investment and development in the northeastern states.
The production of flexible solar panels at low cost in India may also encourage the government to promote programs that use such panels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for innovative renewable energy programs which include canal-top and floating solar power projects as well as solar power systems atop moving trains, reported CleanTechnica.
