UP, Haryana Steal the Spotlight As India’s Next Big Solar Module Hotspots

If you are an avid follower of the Indian solar market, you must have come across phrases like “the booming solar module manufacturing industry.” Reports have also pointed towards a likely phase of overcapacity in the country sooner or later. But how can we really measure the transition of Indian solar module manufacturers in terms of their capacities, technological advancements, geographical diversification, improved wattages, and other factors?

Saur Energy, in this report, has documented the sector’s transition over the past two years—from September 2023 to September 2025—based on government records.

We conducted a deep dive into the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)—comparing the list published in September 2023 with the one released in September 2025. Although the gap between the two lists is just two years, the developments during this period have been remarkable.

1. From 80 to 124 Manufacturers

A comparison of the 2023 and 2025 ALMM lists shows that the number of solar module manufacturers rose from 80 to 124. During this period, several companies from diverse geographies set up new manufacturing units. Solar cell manufacturers expanded into module production, while existing module makers such as Premier Energies and Gautam Solar opened additional facilities in different regions.

In FY2025–26 alone, 35 companies made it to the ALMM. While most were first-time entrants, a few were renewals.

2. Entry of Reliance, ACME, Avaada & Websol

Another key development was the entry of big names. Reliance Industries appeared in the ALMM for the first time in June 2025. Around the same time, Avaada entered under the brand name Avaada Electro. ACME Solar, primarily a developer, also made its way onto the list. Websol Energy, long focused on cells, registered its module manufacturing line as well.

3. Gujarat’s Share in Manufacturing Slips

Gujarat, traditionally a hub for module manufacturing, saw its share dip. In September 2023, the state hosted 33 of the 80 listed firms (41%). By 2025, it had 45 out of 124 (36%).

While Gujarat still leads with the highest number of manufacturers, its relative share has fallen as other states gained ground. Several new entrants strategically chose locations outside Gujarat for logistical and cost advantages, leading to wider geographical spread.

4. UP & Haryana Emerge as New Hubs

One of the most notable shifts has been the rise of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. UP now holds the second spot, with 11 module units listed under the ALMM, while Haryana has 10. Both have overtaken Rajasthan, which was earlier the second-most preferred state after Gujarat.

5. From Mono-PERC to TOPCon

The technological landscape has also shifted significantly. The 2023 ALMM did not feature any TOPCon-based solar modules. By 2025, however, most major manufacturers had listed TOPCon products, with numbers continuing to grow.

Module wattages have climbed as well, with ratings now going up to 720 Wp.

What Drove This Growth?

Several policy and market factors contributed to this growth. The reinstatement of the ALMM in 2024 restricted the use of cheaper imported modules, especially from China, in most Indian projects—creating a strong domestic demand base.

Other drivers included:

• A sharp rise in tender volumes

• Extension of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme

• Expiry of ISTS charge waivers for solar projects in June 2025, which front-loaded deployments

• Falling global solar cell prices

Together, these developments spurred higher demand, encouraging Indian manufacturers to scale up capacity and adopt new technologies, setting the stage for the next phase of the industry’s growth.