India’s renewable manufacturing landscape received a major boost as the Uttar Pradesh government granted approval for an ultra‑mega solar manufacturing park under the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). The greenfield project, spearheaded by SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited, will span 200 acres in Sector 8 along the expressway and represents a ₹8,200 crore investment into domestic clean‑energy capacity. Classified as an “ultra‑mega” venture (projects above ₹3,000 crore), this facility will produce 5 GW of high‑efficiency TOPCon solar cells and 5 GW of solar modules annually, taking SAEL’s total module output capacity to 8.5 GW.
Construction is slated to begin later this year, following land allotment by YEIDA—which is expected to conclude within the month—and the finalisation of formalities between SAEL and state authorities. A Letter of Intent was first issued on February 24, and full approval by UP’s investment promotion agency came through on July 10, 2025. Once operational, the integrated plant will not only assemble modules on‑site but also carry out cell fabrication, reducing India’s reliance on imported solar components.
The project is projected to generate approximately 2,500 direct and indirect jobs in the region, supporting Uttar Pradesh’s broader goal of industrialising its renewable‑energy value chain under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Local manufacturing of TOPCon cells—a technology known for enhanced light‑capture and lower degradation—aligns with national targets to scale up high‑efficiency modules and drive down levelised cost of electricity from solar.
This development dovetails with central and state schemes aimed at boosting solar park capacity. Since 2014, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has approved multiple solar parks under its Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects programme, targeting an overall capacity of 40 GW by 2026. The new SAEL facility will therefore play a crucial role in strengthening India’s clean‑energy manufacturing base, reducing import dependency, and supporting the national mission of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
Building India’s Solar Manufacturing Base: Past & Parallel Initiatives
While UP’s park is the first of its scale in the state, several other regions have pursued similar clean‑energy manufacturing clusters:
- Nagpur, Maharashtra
The Butibori Industrial Estate is rapidly becoming a solar‑equipment hub. Avaada Electro commenced 720 Wp panel production and plans cell manufacturing by October 2025. Waaree Energies and Reliance Infrastructure are securing hundreds of acres to expand module and cell output, supported by MIDC incentives such as SGST refunds. - Tamil Nadu
Tata Power has established a 4.3 GW solar‑module manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudur, backed by a Production‑Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This facility supplies both domestic and export markets, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s reputation as a leading solar manufacturing state. - Gujarat Hybrid Park (Rann of Kutch)
Although primarily a generation park, the 30 GW Hybrid Renewable Energy Park at Khavda includes dedicated wafer‑ and cell‑fabrication zones, with plans to host module‑assembly lines. This integrated approach aims to cut logistics costs and accelerate technology transfer.
Why Manufacturing Parks Matter
- Reduced Import Dependence
India imports over 70% of its solar cells and modules. Local parks can drive down costs, enhance supply security, and shield the sector from global tariff shocks. - Economies of Scale
Large‑scale, co‑located production lines enable bulk procurement of raw materials (glass, EVA, backsheets), lowering per‑unit costs and improving competitiveness. - Job Creation & Skill Development
Manufacturing clusters spur ancillary industries—equipment fabrication, logistics, testing labs—and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. - Technology Upgradation
Hosting cell‑ and module‑fabrication together encourages innovation (e.g., TOPCon, heterojunction) and faster absorption of best‑practices from global leaders.
Looking ahead, the success of the Greater Noida park could catalyse further investments in domestic module and cell production, spur ancillary industries (such as glass, EVA, and backsheet suppliers), and reinforce Uttar Pradesh as a hub for green manufacturing. With construction set to commence soon and commercial operations expected by 2027, this landmark project underscores India’s commitment to scaling up its clean‑energy ecosystem from production to deployment.
