Premier Energies has commissioned a new 7 GW N-type TOPCon G12R solar cell manufacturing facility at Naidupeta in Andhra Pradesh. The facility, developed with a capital expenditure of ₹3,293 crore, is spread across 101 acres and has started trial production. The new plant increases Premier Energies’ total solar cell manufacturing capacity from 3.6 GW to 10.6 GW. The company describes the facility as India’s largest solar cell manufacturing plant by capacity. 7 GW Solar Cell Facility in Naidupeta
The facility is located at Naidupeta Industrial Park in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. It has been developed for high-volume production of N-type TOPCon G12R solar cells and incorporates automated manufacturing and material-handling systems. Key details of the project include:
- Location: Naidupeta, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh
- Manufacturing capacity: 7 GW
- Technology: N-type TOPCon G12R
- Project area: 101 acres
- Capital expenditure: ₹3,293 crore
- Water management: Zero Liquid Discharge system for recycling and reuse of water.
- Production capacity: Approximately 88,000 solar cells per hour
- Total Premier Energies cell capacity after commissioning: 10.6 GW
- Current status: Commissioned and trial production started
The facility is designed for high-volume, digitally enabled manufacturing, with automated systems supporting material movement, packing and packaging.
N-Type TOPCon Technology
The plant will manufacture N-type TOPCon G12R solar cells, a high-efficiency photovoltaic technology. TOPCon, or Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact, uses a passivated contact structure to improve the efficiency and performance of solar cells. Premier Energies is targeting an average cell efficiency of around 25.8% once the facility stabilises and production is ramped up. The plant also uses digital and AI-enabled systems for areas such as process control, predictive performance analysis and manufacturing operations.
Trial Production and Capacity Ramp-Up
The facility has started trial production following its commissioning. Production is expected to scale up as the manufacturing systems stabilise and the plant moves towards higher utilisation. This means the 7 GW figure represents the facility’s manufacturing capacity rather than its immediate production output. Premier Energies expects the plant to reach its targeted operating parameters as the ramp-up progresses.
Capacity Expansion and Backward Integration
The Naidupeta facility increases Premier Energies’ solar cell manufacturing capacity from 3.6 GW to 10.6 GW, adding 7 GW of capacity to its existing operations. The company is also pursuing greater backward integration across the solar manufacturing value chain, including plans related to silicon ingots and wafers. This forms part of its broader strategy to expand its integrated solar manufacturing capabilities.
Why Naidupeta?
Naidupeta is emerging as an industrial and manufacturing centre with the help of Krishnapatnam Industrial Area in Andhra Pradesh. It is planned as a manufacturing hub and is developed under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor with focus sectors such as electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing.
Key connectivity
- NH-16: Around 25 km from the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area, connecting the region with Chennai and other major cities.
- NH-67: The Ramnagar–Krishnapatnam Port highway is around 5 km away.
- Krishnapatnam Port: Around 5 km away, supporting port-led industrial and cargo connectivity.
- Krishnapatnam Railway Station: Around 15 km away.
- Nellore Railway Station: Around 25 km away, providing access to the wider rail network.
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Other Major Investments in Naidupeta
Naidupeta has also attracted investments in the electronics manufacturing sector. Syrma SGS has received approval for a ₹1,595 crore electronics manufacturing project at Naidupeta, covering PCB, CCL and EMS facilities. The project adds to the area’s growing manufacturing ecosystem alongside renewable energy projects.
Conclusion
Premier Energies’ 7 GW solar cell facility marks a major expansion of its manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh. With trial production underway and Naidupeta attracting further solar and electronics investments, the project adds to the region’s growing renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem.