The Growth Towards Green Energy-In conversation with Manish Narula from Jinko Solar

Mr. Manish Narula, Executive Vice President – South Asia | Jinko Solar

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JINKO is making all efforts to support the industry by offering our Latest Technology products to reduce overall lifetime investment by Solar Power Developers. At present, as you see, the price trend of Solar Modules is stable, only the landed price is higher due to BCD. It is likely to go down as we see more Manufacturing capacity getting commissioned across the Globe.

1. What kind of changes do you see in the Industry after the BCD Implementation on Solar Panels?

The industry is gearing up to invest more in Local Manufacturing. Also, some of the players are finding loopholes in the system to bring Duty free products from other routes. Overall, a reduced demand due to heavy Duty imposition.

2. How does the Dynamics of Price – Demand – Supply Look Like for this and the next Year?

It looks like that due to global disturbances, the prices are going to stay on a higher side briefly before it settles down. Demand-supply situation will improve after seeing many new manufacturing capacities getting commissioned. Next year, if no further disturbance is there, the prices shall stay lower than what it is this year.

3. What Kind of Products and New Technologies are you going to launch in this or next Year?

Several Global Manufacturers are launching their new technologies. At Jinko Solar, we’ve already launched the Tiger Neo Solar Modules, which are based on N Type Technology. These products have been accepted very well by the Industry due to its High Efficiency, Low Degradation as well as High Bi-faciality. All these advantages make this product a low LCOE product, which makes Investors happy as this means better ROIs on their projects.

4. What kind of Pricing and Technology RoadMap do you see coming through in the industry?

Pricing and Technology go hand in hand. We’re making all efforts to support the industry by offering our Latest Technology products to reduce overall lifetime investment by Solar Power Developers. At present, as you see, the price trend of Solar Modules is stable, only the landed price is higher due to BCD. It is likely to go down as we see more Manufacturing capacity getting commissioned across the Globe. Also due to high demand during certain peak times, say Q4, we may see a spike in the prices.

5. What is the total quantity you supplied to India in Last 1 Year and What is the Expectation for the coming one year?

We did great business in India last year. We were leading all charts every quarter across all analysis from Bridge to India, JMK, etc. From Q1 2021 to Q1 2022, we supplied almost 5 GW capacity to India. We also completed a 8GW cumulative shipment milestone this year. 

6. What are your views on the ALMM / BIS etc…?

It’s a must for any country to get its own Quality Standards and other regulations. However, these standards and regulations should be constantly upgraded to match with Global Standards. At present, as we understand, these standards are not up to the mark and need improvements. Another key factor is that such standards should act as enablers for Industry’s growth rather than act as hurdles. We strongly believe that MNRE will find ways to help Industry and allow level playing field for all global players till the times sufficient capacity is not developed in India.

7. What is the Opportunity in India Currently…in Terms of Projects in Tender, Pipeline etc…Opportunities in Manufacturing etc…?

India is a booming market. 3rd largest in the Globe. It’s one of the most preferred investment destinations as well. The present project demand is also great. However, if we see the expected installation targets going up to 2030, this annual demand could be made higher. In terms of manufacturing, we see a big demand due to the PLI scheme and push for local manufacturing. However, let’s not rely on domestic manufacturing only due to its very limited supply chain control within the country.

8. How has the rupee devaluation affected the Solar Industry and your business?

Not major implications for our business as such.

9. What kind of Solar Tariff Trends do you see coming?

If all factors are considered, the tariffs should remain range bound.

10. Visible Changes in RE Industry w.r.t. Energy Storage, RTC, Hybrid RE Projects, Floating, etc and their likely impact.

These types of installations could be key supporters of plain Vanilla Solar Installations that country has witnessed till date. However, India which has always been a price sensitive market, may not have total reliance on such high-cost installations. At present India needs to complete its main RE target at reasonable tariff. Energy Storage and other kinds of projects will only make the installation targets slower and costlier at the same time. Let’s stick to the base load from Conventional Energy while adding more RE power within the country. In all, such additional installations may be there in low percentage in order to find its own way towards several new Technologies.

11. India couldn’t achieve the RE Capacity Targets Set for 2022 and now has set up another ambitious target for 2030….What are your views on the same. Key Learnings, Expectations?

We should allow a level playing field to meet the high demand first. Later we may develop local industry to sustain the growth. If we get influenced by just one segment, it is likely to create stress on the overall economy of RE installations.

12. What are your expectations from the Government, Policy Makers and Regulators?

We expect the Govt to support all Industry segments towards meeting RE goals of the country. The key stakeholders, Solar Power Developers, who invest for 25-30 years in a project, need to be heard first before anyone else.  

13. Rise of Role of PSU’s in the RE Sector and your views on the same?

It is great to see all major PSUs in India being so enthusiastic about RE with the likes of NTPC leading the way. We believe these companies have huge potential and can contribute significantly to solar capacity addition by way of tenders and self-consumption. They are serious competitors with private players in all solar auctions. We hope that the new policies will allow Jinko and other foreign brands to cater to the huge demand of PSUs directly which hasn’t been the case till now.