Vikram Solar’s Decarbonization Pursuit: BESS and Solar PV Recycling

With India intensifying its transition toward a low-carbon future, two pillars of sustainable energy are gaining prominence—Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and solar photovoltaic (PV) module recycling. While solar energy adoption is surging, the need to integrate it efficiently and manage its lifecycle is pressing. BESS mitigates renewable intermittency, ensuring stable power supply, while PV recycling addresses end-of-life waste concerns, helping close the sustainability loop.

Why Energy Storage and Recycling Matter

According to the CRISIL Report (September 2024), the growing integration of renewable energy has sharpened the focus on storage technologies, especially with projections of 175–180 GW of new solar additions by FY2030. BESS offers a strategic solution, enabling time-shifting of energy use and peak demand management, essential for grid stability, commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers shifting to solar open access models.

At the other end of the lifecycle, PV recycling is emerging as a vital component in the green value chain. With module efficiency improving and installations scaling up, India is set to face mounting PV waste.

Entering the Battery Space

Vikram Solar, one of India’s largest solar module manufacturers, is aligning its strategy with this decarbonization mandate. The company aims to establish backward integration through cell manufacturing facility & sideways integration through its storage and recycling facilities. In Mar 2025, Vikram Solar announced plans to setup a 1 GWh fully integrated Solid-state Cell and Battery manufacturing facility with proprietary Battery Management System (BMS) technology through its PowerHive venture, expected to be scaled up to 5 GWh capacity

This marked Vikram Solar’s formal entry into India’s battery manufacturing sector, with the objective of building capacity in advanced chemistry solid-state cell and batteries.

Further, Vikram Solar’s plans encompass not only battery production but also integration with its solar module offerings. This synergy positions the firm to provide end-to-end clean energy solutions—from generation to storage and recycling.

The strategic significance of these initiatives cannot be overstated. As per the CRISIL report, C&I customers increasingly demand reliable and dispatchable solar power, making bundled offerings with BESS attractive. Meanwhile, India’s policy framework—backed by initiatives like the Energy Storage Obligation (ESO), ALMM, PM KUSUM, and PLI scheme—further supports domestic value chain integration.

By addressing both the front and back end of the solar lifecycle, Vikram Solar is moving beyond module manufacturing to become a holistic decarbonization enabler. Its dual push into BESS and recycling reinforces its vision for a resilient, circular, and future-ready solar economy.