Electrent Energy Eyes Hybrid Inverters, EV batteries As Lithium Demand Grows

Indian energy storage startup Electrent Energy plans to expand into hybrid solar inverters and electric two-wheeler batteries as demand for lithium-ion storage grows, its chief executive said.

The company currently manufactures off-grid inverters, lithium batteries and integrated energy storage systems (ESS) for residential and small commercial applications, primarily in rural and semi-urban markets.

From off-grid to other market 

“We are an off-grid solar company focused on lithium batteries and energy storage solutions,” Chief Executive Chirag Chawla told Saur Energy. “Hybrid and on-grid solutions are areas we plan to enter over the next six to nine months.”

Electrent manufactures its products in-house, while installations are handled through a distributor network. Its systems are deployed in projects including Rajasthan district courts and government schools, as well as residential and small commercial installations.

The company has installed about 18–19 MW of battery capacity over the past 18 months, Chawla said, adding that its products range from 12-volt to 400-volt battery systems.

Strong Off-Grid Market 

India’s off-grid market continues to show strong demand, driven partly by government efforts to replace diesel generators with battery storage solutions, he said. The company recently deployed a 40-kW hybrid inverter and lithium battery system with solar panels at a school in Rajasthan to replace a diesel generator.

Chawla said lithium-ion adoption is rising faster in higher-capacity battery systems as prices fall and customers seek compact, low-maintenance alternatives to lead-acid batteries. However, supply chain dependence on imported battery cells and battery management systems remains a major challenge.

“India still depends heavily on imports for cells and BMS, which makes supply chain stability a key issue,” he said.

Electrent plans to launch hybrid inverters ranging from 1 kW to 50 kW later this year, targeting the growing residential and small commercial solar market. The company does not plan to enter the on-grid inverter segment in the near term.

Beyond Storage 

Beyond solar storage, Electrent is preparing to enter the electric mobility segment by launching lithium-ion batteries for two-wheelers within weeks, with plans to expand to three-wheelers later.

Chawla said government policy is increasingly favouring hybrid solar systems over off-grid solutions, and the industry must adapt accordingly.

“The industry needs to pivot from off-grid to hybrid technologies to align with policy direction,” he said. Electrent’s manufacturing facility is located in Bhiwani, Haryana.