UrjaDaily: What is the story behind the establishment of Bluebird Solar, and what are its short-term and long-term goals?
Bluebird Solar, founded by Akshay and Abhay Mittal, is a leading solar panel manufacturer in India. With a 40-year-old brand, Bluebird Stabilizers, the company offers a wide range of half-cut bi-facial and mono-facial solar panels. The company’s fully automated 400MW manufacturing unit is equipped with robotics automation-based Hi-Tech machinery for high productivity and product performance. The company plans to expand its manufacturing capacity to 1.2 GW by Q1 FY 24-25 and 2 GW by Q1 FY 25-26. With a state-of-the-art ISO 9001:2015 & ISO14001-2015 & ROHS certified manufacturing facility in Greater Noida, India, Bluebird Solar focuses on sustainability and contributes to renewable energy growth in India.
UrjaDaily: Please provide a brief about the company’s current projects and investment initiatives.
The company is aggressively investing in research and development to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its solar products. Further, the company is also exploring the expansion towards a backward integrated solar PV manufacturer. We are exploring new areas within the renewable energy sector or related technologies to diversify their product and service offerings. Bluebird also contributes to sustainable development by promoting solar solutions for urban and rural communities. Bluebird is engaging in advocacy efforts to support favourable policies that encourage the adoption of solar energy at the governmental and regulatory levels.
UrjaDaily: How is India’s renewable energy approach, and how effective are government Initiatives in improving the scenario for the renewable energy sector?
India’s National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy is a blueprint for other developing countries, promoting the integration of wind and solar power generation to diversify the renewable energy mix. This approach reduces dependence on a single source and enhances energy security, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainable development goals. The government has actively promoted solar energy through various schemes, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).
The National Solar Mission 2023 aims to increase India’s total renewable capacity to 448 GW of solar energy and 122 GW of wind energy by 2030. The Ministry of National Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to add 10,000 MW of green energy through Hydro, Solar, and other sources by 2030. Regulatory frameworks and policies, such as net metering, feed-in tariffs, and incentives for solar installations, have played a crucial role in the market’s growth. The policy also aids states/UTs in establishing solar parks and providing infrastructure for large-scale grid-connected solar power projects. The National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy promotes a holistic approach to renewable energy development, harnessing the synergies between wind and solar power to deliver multiple benefits to the energy sector, economy, and environment.
UrjaDaily: What are your preparations for InterSolar Expo Gujarat, and what do you expect from this event?
Intersolar Gujarat is a big event and we would like to showcase there our advanced M10 Mono Half-cut Solar PV modules. Besides, we will also exhibit premium quality mono-facial and bifacial half-cut solar PV modules, with capacities ranging from 400W to 550W. The high-efficiency modules will be available in the market in a wide range of cell configurations, including 108 cells, 120 cells, 132 Cells and 144 cells, with M10 cell technology for enhanced efficiency. Intersolar Gujarat will be the perfect platform to exhibit Bluebird Solar module manufacturing capabilities and promote the M10 module as an ideal pick for environment-conscious consumers looking for robust solar solutions.
UrjaDaily: How aggressively are you adapting to technological innovations, and do you find a smooth road ahead to embrace changes?
Bluebird Solar is at the forefront of transformation as the power sector experiences substantial investments. This influx positions the company to capitalize on emerging opportunities and solidify its role as a critical player in the renewable energy landscape. The portion of the recent investment allocated for research and development propels Bluebird Solar to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. The company aims to offer more efficient and advanced solutions by continually improving its solar panel technologies, securing a competitive edge in the ever-evolving renewable energy market. We are planning to come up with.
Bluebird recently introduced its advanced M10 Mono PERC Half-cut Solar PV modules, with capacities ranging from 400W to 550W. The high-efficiency modules will be available in the market in a wide range of cell configurations, including 108 cells, 120 cells, 132 Cells and 144 cells, with M10 cell technology for enhanced efficiency. The M10 modules of Bluebird are available in both mono and bi-facial categories, with bi-facials available in glass-glass and glass-transparent back sheets.
Bluebird offers the first in its class a 30-year warranty on M10 Mono-facial and Bi-facial modules and will soon launch the N-Type Topcon Modules range in the next quarter.
UrjaDaily: In your opinion, what is the significance of the PLI scheme in promoting domestic solar manufacturers and reducing the import burden? How is it helping domestic players build their sourcing capacity?
The PLI program provides financial incentives to domestic solar manufacturers based on their production capacity and sales performance, enabling them to scale up operations and reduce costs. This leads to economies of scale, improving efficiency and competitiveness in domestic and international markets. The program plays a crucial role in accelerating the growth of domestic solar manufacturing and achieving self-reliance in solar energy production. To further enhance its effectiveness, the government should introduce a special interest subvention scheme for MSME Solar PV manufacturers. Indian manufacturers are also focusing on localizing their supply chains by sourcing raw materials, components, and equipment from domestic suppliers, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing supply chain resilience. They are also forming strategic partnerships with other domestic companies to leverage complementary strengths and capabilities.
UrjaDaily: Will India’s endeavour to get a solar panel on every rooftop help the country achieve energy-independent missions?
India has the potential to produce 5,000 trillion kilowatts of clean energy annually due to its 300 sunny days and high solar insolation. Further, to achieve nationwide impact, small-scale solar applications, including rooftop projects, require continuous support and evaluation from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and state governments. Large utility-scale projects are more accessible for timely monitoring and achieving policy targets. However, rooftop solar projects pose challenges to our honourable Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has tried to address this by launching the PM Suryodaya Yojana to get one crore rooftops solarised across India, and every household leads to the entire nation becoming energy independent. The country has immense potential to lead the solar power space supply equipment to other countries and become a significant global supplier.
