Premier Energies Signs JVs For Solar Wafer Manufacturing, Aluminium Frames

Premier Energies, an integrated solar cell and module manufacturer, has signed a 74:26 joint venture agreement with Taiwan-based Sino-American Silicon Products Inc. (SAS) for solar wafer manufacturing.

Sino-American Silicon Products Inc. (SAS) subsidiary, GlobalWafers Co. Ltd., is claimed to be the world’s third-largest manufacturer of semiconductor silicon wafers with expertise in the research, development, and manufacturing of Silicon wafers.

The Joint Venture (JV) will establish a 2 GW per annum manufacturing plant in India. It will slice polysilicon ingots into silicon wafers for use in the production of photovoltaic cells and modules.

On the occasion of signing the JV agreement, Chiranjeev Saluja, Managing Director of Premier Energies, commented, “This agreement marks the start of our backward integration into solar wafers. We are excited to partner with SAS to produce high-quality solar wafers to increase the share of local manufacturing in the solar value chain. The JV will play a pivotal role in strengthening the Make-in-India policy initiative of the Indian government”

Doris Hsu, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sino-American Silicon Products Inc. and GlobalWafers Co., Ltd., stated that this cooperation will be an important step for our future development in India. SAS and Premier Energies will bolster a critical aspect of the solar supply chain among various industry in India domestic and overseas markets. Furthermore, this can enhance both operational resilience and seize the strong demand of Indian market.

The backward integration into solar wafers is yet another critical step for Premier energies into an integrated solar supply chain, considering the firm’s status as one of the few established cell and module manufacturers in India. There is a very high likelihood that post the start of the ALCM for cell manufacturing from next year, the government’s next target will be to repeat the process for solar wafers and polysilicon/ingot manufacturing, to complete its solar manufacturing push. Both these offer formidable challenges on picking the right technology partner as well as making in India, considering the higher capex and expertise required. Premier Energies is clearly seeking a headstart after stabilising its cell manufacturing operations that have supported an expansion of margins now.

Aluminium Frame Manufacturing JV

Premier Energies has also announced a JV with Hyderabad-based Nuevosol Energy Pvt. Ltd, a leading manufacturer of solar PV mounting structures. The JV aims to manufacture aluminium-based solar module frames and value-added components critical to solar modules. Under the agreement, Premier Energies will hold a majority stake in this strategic partnership.
The joint venture will set up a 36,000 MT/year aluminium extrusion and anodizing facility in Seetharampuram, Telangana, to support Premier Energies’ solar manufacturing operations and is expected to begin commercial operations in FY 2027.