PVV Infra plans 1-GW solar cell plant in Andhra Pradesh

• PVV Infra signed an INR 6.5bn MoU to build a 1-GW solar cell factory in Andhra Pradesh, strengthening India’s upstream PV supply chain.

Indian infrastructure group PVV Infra has signed a memorandum of understanding worth INR 6.5 billion to develop a 1-GW solar cell manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh. While the MoU is a preliminary step, it signals fresh momentum in India’s drive to localize more of the photovoltaic value chain—moving beyond module assembly into higher-value cell production.

The company has not disclosed the exact site, technology node or commissioning timeline. Even so, a 1-GW nameplate is meaningful for India’s near-term goals. Domestic demand continues to outpace local cell capacity, and developers remain exposed to import volatility and policy swings. New cell lines—particularly if they can run high-efficiency formats—help de-risk utility and rooftop pipelines while qualifying for incentives that reward deeper manufacturing.

Expect a lender-friendly, phased execution. Many recent Indian cell fabs start with PERC as a bridge technology, then add or convert lines to TOPCon or heterojunction as equipment, yields and financing align. Cleanroom build-out, tool installation, and process integration (texturing, diffusion, passivation, metallization) will be the pacing items. On the utilities side, a reliable power supply, water treatment and waste management will be central to permitting and ESG scrutiny.

For Andhra Pradesh, the project promises construction jobs, skilled manufacturing roles and a local supplier ecosystem—from gases and chemicals to frames and junction boxes if vertical integration expands. State-level support typically includes land allocation, single-window clearances and infrastructure facilitation around the site.

Downstream, domestic cell output can improve module availability for tenders, reduce logistics risk, and shorten lead times for rooftop installers. If PVV Infra pairs the fab with long-term offtake or tolling agreements, it can secure utilization early and smooth cash flows during ramp-up.

The open questions are the important ones: technology pathway, capex schedule, anchor customers and the balance between export and domestic allocation. Those details will determine whether the factory is simply another gigawatt on paper or a durable contributor to India’s PV industrial base.