Premier Energies has commissioned a 7 GW N-type TOPCon G12R solar cell manufacturing facility at Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh. The project, developed at a capital expenditure of ₹3,293 crore, raises the company’s total solar cell capacity to 10.6 GW, establishing it as India’s largest solar cell manufacturer.

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations & Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The facility spans 101 acres and is designed for high-throughput production, capable of manufacturing approximately 88,000 solar cells per hour. The plant utilizes advanced digital systems and artificial intelligence for predictive performance analysis and process control.

Capacity Expansion and Technology

The new facility complements Premier Energies’ existing operations, bringing the aggregate capacity to 10.6 GW. The plant is built for future scalability, with design provisions for upgrades to next-generation TOPCon+ technologies, including poly-finger metallisation and advanced edge-isolation processes. Upon stabilization and ramp-up, the facility targets an average solar cell efficiency of approximately 25.8%.

Strategic Outlook

Chiranjeev Saluja, Managing Director, stated that commissioning the facility on time and within budget is a significant execution milestone. He noted that the timing aligns with positive outlooks for orders, pricing, and demand for high-efficiency solar products. The scale addition aims to improve supply reliability and operating efficiency as the line stabilizes.

Sudhir Reddy, Director & Chief Strategy Officer, added that the Naidupeta plant is a key step in the integrated manufacturing roadmap. The combination of scale, automation, and advanced technology is intended to strengthen supply-chain resilience and address demand in domestic and international markets.

Sustainability and Integration

The facility incorporates a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system to maximize water recycling and reuse, supporting the company’s focus on sustainable manufacturing. Premier Energies is undertaking a broader ₹12,500 crore capital expenditure programme over three years. This initiative aims to more than double solar manufacturing capacity, expand backward integration into ingots and wafers, and diversify into inverters, transformers, and battery energy storage systems.

Premier Energies has entered into a binding term sheet with RCT Energy India Private Limited to establish a 12 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing facility in Telangana. The agreement, signed on September 10, 2026, marks the company’s expansion into energy storage manufacturing.

Joint venture structure and ownership

The new entity, Premier Energies Storage Solutions Private Limited (PESSPL), will be headquartered at Seetharampur, Telangana. Under the proposed shareholding pattern, Premier Battery Technologies Private Limited (PBTPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Premier Energies, will hold an 85% equity stake. RCT Energy India, part of the German-based RCT Group, will hold 15%. RCT India retains an option to increase its shareholding to 20%, reducing PBTPL’s stake to 80%.

The parties have agreed to execute definitive agreements, including a Shareholders’ Agreement, within 30 days of signing the term sheet. The governance framework will define board composition and respective roles.

Facility details and strategic intent

The BESS facility is designed to serve commercial, industrial, and utility-scale segments in both Indian and international markets. It is envisioned as an export-oriented manufacturing platform, leveraging RCT’s global supply-chain network and engineering expertise.

Development will proceed in phases, with the first phase planned at 6 GWh. The facility is expected to commence operations in FY27-28.

Regulatory disclosures

Premier Energies Limited filed the intimation with stock exchanges under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosures Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company disclosed that neither it nor any group entity holds any prior shareholding in RCT India. The transaction is not classified as a related-party transaction, and no directors from RCT India will be nominated to the Board of Directors of the listed entity.

Management commentary

Chiranjeev Saluja, Managing Director of Premier Energies, stated that energy storage is critical for India’s renewable energy expansion. He noted that the partnership provides access to a rapidly growing market and aims to build globally competitive BESS products.

Sukumar Reddy Madugula, Managing Director of RCT India, highlighted the venture as a testament to the strength of the relationship with Premier Energies, aiming to bring global expertise to India’s BESS sector.