AHMEDABAD, India – In a significant diversification move the Ahmedabad-based GAP Group known for its strong presence in real estate has announced its foray into solar manufacturing. The company is taking a unique path focusing first on manufacturing high-value solar cells to address a critical shortage in the Indian market before expanding into module production.
The group has set an ambitious target to achieve 5 GW of TOPCon solar cell production by 2027-28, with the first phase—a 2 GW cell line—expected to be operational as early as next year.
A Strategic Focus on the Core Component
Unlike many new entrants who begin with module assembly GAP Group’s strategy to start with cell manufacturing is a direct response to the domestic supply gap. Solar cells are the core, technology-intensive component that converts sunlight into electricity, and India still relies heavily on imports for these.
The proposed plant will be located in the Dholera Special Industrial Region (SIR) in Gujarat. To ensure technological prowess from day one the group is partnering with China Tyre A., a firm with over 15 years of experience in solar cell manufacturing.
Leveraging Dholera Presence and Market Optimism
Gopal Goswami, Chairman of GAP Group framed the investment as a “natural extension” of the group’s existing commitments in Dholera, aimed at supporting the smart projects developing in the region. He expressed confidence that faster execution would outweigh any current subsidy gaps in Gujarat.
Goswami’s optimism is rooted in a bullish outlook for India’s energy demand. He anticipates a sharp rise in electricity consumption due to accelerated industrialization, which will, in turn, drive faster deployment and absorption of renewable energy into the grid, creating a robust market for high-quality, domestically produced cells.
A Long-Term Vision for the Solar Value Chain
The cell manufacturing plant is just the beginning of GAP Group’s solar ambitions. In the long term, the company plans to backward and forward integrate, entering module manufacturing and the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) market, including the production of mounting structures.
This move positions GAP Group to become a fully integrated player in India’s rapidly expanding solar energy ecosystem.