BHEL plans to expand solar PV manufacturing line

Power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is expanding its solar photo-voltaic module manufacturing unit with an investment of Rs 20 crore.

BHEL proposes to increase its solar cell and module manufacturing line from 8 MW to 26 MW capacity by September this year, Mr G. Ganapathiraman, Executive Director – Electronics Division, BHEL said. The company promises a module efficiency of over 18 per cent, he added.

This expansion of crystalline PV module manufacturing unit comes at a time when there is a glut of modules in the country. However, with several solar power producers importing thin-film modules as they are cheaper, there are few takers for PV modules.

In 2011-12, the electronics division of BHEL commissioned about 15 MW of solar power projects across the country. Currently, the solar segment of the electronics division contributes about 10 per cent.

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