Vikram Solar to Begin 9 GW Cell Production in December 2026
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Khushi Jain
- October 23, 2026
Vikram Solar announced on October 23 that production at its 9 GW N-type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility in Gangaikondan, Tamil Nadu, is scheduled to begin in December 2026. The company, a manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, said the facility’s entire 9 GW capacity will be commissioned in phases.
Vikram Solar Chairman and Managing Director Gyanesh Chaudhary said the company and other Indian solar module manufacturers have relied on imported cells to support their operations. The Gangaikondan facility is intended to address this dependence by bringing cell manufacturing within India.
Chaudhary said cells contain much of a solar module’s value, technology and risk, adding that the company will begin manufacturing them in Tamil Nadu in December.
Why Vikram Solar Is Focusing on Cell Manufacturing
Despite India’s record module manufacturing capacity, cells used in most Indian solar modules continue to be imported.
According to the company, cells determine a module’s efficiency, reliability and cost, while accounting for the largest component of its bill of materials.
Chaudhary described cell manufacturing as the first major stage in the company’s integration strategy rather than its final objective. Vikram Solar’s plan is to build an integrated manufacturing chain in India, extending from wafers to finished modules.
Once operating at full capacity, the Gangaikondan facility will supply high-efficiency TOPCon cells for most of Vikram Solar’s module production.
The company expects this integration to support Indian modules manufactured from cells to frames for domestic content-required initiatives, including utility-scale solar projects, rooftop installations, PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM. It is also intended to serve international customers seeking to diversify their supply chains.
Vikram Solar’s Manufacturing Expansion Plans
Vikram Solar plans to seek the inclusion of cells manufactured at Gangaikondan in List-II of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) in the future.
The cell manufacturing plant is the second of three segments in the company’s integration roadmap at Gangaikondan. The first segment, a 6 GW module manufacturing facility, was formally inaugurated by the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in August 2026.
Integrated Campus and Employment Generation
Once completed, the Gangaikondan campus will join a limited number of Indian manufacturing facilities producing ingots, wafers, cells and modules at the same location.
The integrated campus is expected to provide more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Construction is underway on the nearly 200-acre campus of VSL Green Power Pvt Ltd, Vikram Solar’s wholly owned subsidiary.
According to the company, locating manufacturing operations together will help reduce logistics costs, strengthen quality control and shorten supply cycles.
Vikram Solar Limited is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, and manufactures photovoltaic modules for domestic and international markets. The company has a global presence across 39 countries.
FAQs
1. When will Vikram Solar begin production at its Gangaikondan cell plant?
Production at the 9 GW N-type TOPCon solar cell facility is scheduled to begin in December 2026.
2. What is the planned capacity of the Gangaikondan cell manufacturing facility?
The facility has a planned capacity of 9 GW, which will be commissioned in phases.
3. Why is Vikram Solar investing in cell manufacturing?
The company aims to reduce dependence on imported solar cells and expand its integrated manufacturing capabilities in India.
4. What is the capacity of Vikram Solar’s module manufacturing facility at Gangaikondan?
The first module manufacturing facility has a capacity of 6 GW and was inaugurated by the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in August 2026.
5. How many jobs is the Gangaikondan campus expected to generate?
The campus is expected to provide more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.
