Vikram Solar in 2019
2019 has been a trying year for solar. In 2019, the solar industry witnessed slog by tender cancellations, PPA renegotiations, the impact of changing foreign trade policies, reduced funding, and lack of budgetary focus. Sources of finance for both the solar manufacturing industry and solar deployment industry were hard to find, FDI reduced considerably and availability of domestic finance at viable cost was rare.
However, we did not lose a step in such a scenario. We penetrated into competitive international markets, enhanced manufacturing capacity to 1.1 GW, introduced new innovative products for domestic and international markets, increased market presence and commissioned nearly 230 MW (cumulative capacity) of solar projects in India in 2019.
We believe that with the Government of India continuing to focus on Indian solar growth through policies, introducing new projects, and accessing new markets (through International Solar Alliance), a progressive, opportunity laden and bright future is possible. However, we would be remiss if did not mention the need for policy support to improve manufacturing scale, exports, solar adoption, and financing solutions
in India.
Future Roadmap
We are certain that with global demand for solar growth, the opportunities to claim a larger share in the market will grow. To claim those opportunities, we are constantly improving our quality and joining hands with leading testing facilities to have our products internationally acclaimed. We continue to source best-in-class equipment from all around the world to deliver the finest product quality.
To offer innovative products to our conservative clientele, we continue to launch solar panels with new or upgraded technology. This year we have launched bifacial, half-cell technology, high power 400 Wp module and integrated smart modules, increasing our efforts at bringing forth customer-specific products for different markets.
Our highly competent research and development team constantly work on improving our product portfolio and launching new products to serve our customers better. Our R&D team conducts collaborative research programmes with leading laboratories like National Solar Energy Institute (INES), France and University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia.
To satisfy demand, we have built one of India’s best-in-class production facilities with a total annual production capacity of 1.1 GW. And to simplify challenges in logistics and reach clients with ease, we started building up a robust distribution network. We experimented with 10 distributors in phase one, within limited geography. Now we have over 30 distributors covering all major parts of the country. The growth that we have seen through the distribution network is phenomenal and highly encouraging. By the end of 2020, we would have the widest network of distribution, with over 500 touch points selling Vikram Solar panels. The distribution network ensures ready stocks for immediate dispatches, and after-sales support through our efficient technical team. Our regional warehousing capability, provides an infrastructure to feed large volumes of orders.
With transcontinental presence, we are growing our relevance every day to contribute to global solarisation.
What Vikram Solar has done differently from its competitors
We focus on innovation, quality and performance. We believe our drive to provide the best products and tailor-made services to clients have separated us from the rest. In line with the company’s focus on adopting pioneering and innovative technologies, our manufacturing facility has the finest machinery and equipment imported from the United States, Switzerland, Germany and Japan. Our products are designed to the highest standards of quality, reliability and performance.
In 2014, we introduced PERC technology-based modules. We focus on manufacturing high-efficiency poly-crystalline and mono-crystalline silicon PV modules. A few of our polycrystalline modules are- ELDORA Grand Ultima Silver (72 cell) and ELDORA Ultima Silver (60 cell).
In 2017, we introduced our line of mono-crystalline module with higher energy generation capacity called ‘SOMERA’.
Vikram Solar monocrystalline modules are:
Somera Series – 72 Mono Cells
• SOMERA Grand Ultima Silver 1500V Series
• SOMERA Grand 1500V Series
Somera Series – 60 Mono Cells
• SOMERA Ultima Silver 1500V Series
• SOMERA Ultima All Black Series
• SOMERA Prime 1500V Series
In 2018, we launched two products. A new range of modules with half-cell technology that increases module output by about 15 Wp per module as compared to standard PV modules. The technology also boasts efficiency up of 19.56 per cent. We have also introduced TIGO Integrated Smart Module – Solivo.
And this year, we launched new products in India (high-efficiency multi bus bar half-cell modules) and the US markets (first bifacial PV modules along with half-cell module series in the US), upholding the commitment of providing innovative and better-quality products to our clients.
Besides providing modules, we offer comprehensive EPC services ranging from conceptualisation, execution, commissioning and acquisition of developed sites. We also offer O&M solutions providing preventive and corrective maintenance services for solar plants. And the customer-centric business process that we bring to the table has helped us to become a favourite in the domestic and a well-recognised brand in the international solar industry.
