BREAKING NEWS

Lockdown constraints amid second wave of Covid-19 a downside risk for electricity demand: ICRA

Lockdown constraints amid second wave of Covid-19 a downside risk for electricity demand: ICRA

Interview

DIRECTOR - SALES & MARKETING

( CREDENCE SOLAR PANELS PRIVATE LIMITED )

MR. JINTO JOSEPH

Q. What is the long-term vision of Credence Solar, and how do you see the company positioning itself in the rapidly evolving global solar market?

At Credence Solar, our long-term vision is to become one of the most trusted and technologically advanced solar module manufacturers, not just in India, but globally. We aim to lead the transition toward high-efficiency, large-format modules that cater to utility-scale and commercial projects while staying agile and adapting to emerging technologies like HJT and BIPV.

Our focus is not just on expanding capacity—which is now scaling up to 2.2 GW—but on ensuring that every module we produce delivers superior performance, mechanical strength, and long-term reliability. Through innovations like dual-ribbed design and customised BOM engineering, we offer products that go beyond standard benchmarks.

As the global solar market evolves towards higher efficiency, longer warranties, and sustainable manufacturing, Credence is positioning itself as a performance-first brand that EPCs and developers can rely on—offering not just modules, but a partnership built on accountability, transparency, and future readiness.

Q. How does Credence ensure consistent product quality and reliability as it scales up production to meet increasing demand?

Quality and reliability are the foundation of Credence’s value system, and we don’t compromise on that—regardless of scale. As we ramp up our capacity to 2.2 GW with a new production line, we are investing simultaneously in fully automated, AI-enabled manufacturing systems and automated optical inspection. This eliminates human error and ensures precision in every step, from cell sorting to final lamination.

We’ve standardised a strict multi-layered quality control process, including EL testing at multiple stages, 100% flash testing, and in-line inspection. Additionally, we only use Tier-1, PID-free, and UVstable materials, and our BOM is project-specific for maximum field stability.

Each batch is traceable, and our modules undergo long-duration in-house reliability testing as per IEC standards. Most importantly, we welcome third-party inspections and are transparent about our entire process. Scaling up should never mean scaling down quality, and that’s the line we hold firmly.

Q. What are the challenges Credence faces today as a high-quality and committed Indian manufacturer?

As a responsible Indian manufacturer, Credence Solar continues to face several pressing challenges despite our commitment to quality, innovation, and domestic value creation. Some of the major issues include:

1. Price Pressure & Market Undercutting— Unsustainable pricing trends and undercutting practices in the market impact the stability of genuine manufacturers who invest in quality and technology.

2. Policy & Regulatory Uncertainty – Frequent changes and unclear implementation of government policies create operational uncertainty, especially for long-term planning.

3. Raw Material Dependency—Despite our “Make in India” commitment, the lack of a fully localised supply chain keeps us reliant on imports for key raw materials, affecting cost and timelines.

4. Inconsistent Demand Planning—Sudden changes in demand from developers and government tenders make production and inventory management difficult, especially when capacities are growing rapidly.

5. Lack of Enforcement on Existing Policies – The biggest concern is not just policy design but the lack of strict enforcement. While ALMM aims to promote domestic manufacturing, we strongly believe that unchecked imports and whitelabel practices (though not all, a few players) are undermining the intent of this regulation.

We urge policymakers to conduct a detailed audit of import data. If thoroughly reviewed, it may expose a significant violation of the ALMM mandate and highlight unfair practices. Such unchecked actions not only threaten the domestic manufacturing ecosystem but also result in potential violations of national trade regulations.

We believe that had direct Chinese imports been permitted transparently, it would have at least led to lower LCOE. But now, with ALMM in place, bypassing it via white labelling is a greater threat to national interest.

As an Indian manufacturer, our mission is to demonstrate India’s capability to the world while creating quality jobs and strengthening the nation’s self-reliance. We sincerely hope that this message is brought to the attention of concerned authorities and stakeholders to protect our solar manufacturing ecosystem.

Q. With energy storage becoming increasingly vital to maximise the efficiency of solar power, how do you see the integration of storage solutions evolving in India, and what role should companies like Credence play in driving this transition? 

With India’s growing focus on renewable energy and a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, energy storage has become indispensable to stabilise the grid and ensure round-the-clock power availability. Solar energy, while abundant and clean, is inherently intermittent—which makes storage solutions like lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, and even pumped hydro critical to bridging the gap between generation and demand.

Over the next few years, we foresee greater policy push and financial incentives to promote integrated solar-plus-storage systems, especially for C&I, utility-scale, and hybrid RE parks. With battery costs declining and technological innovation improving storage efficiency and lifespan, India will likely see rapid adoption of decentralised and gridscale storage solutions.

Q. What is Credence’s strategy to differentiate itself from other Indian module manufacturers, especially in terms of engineering design, performance, and long-term value to EPCs and developers?

Credence’s strategy to differentiate itself from other Indian module manufacturers revolves around three key pillars: engineering innovation, performance reliability, and long-term value creation for EPCs and developers.

1. Engineering Design Excellence: Unlike most manufacturers, Credence modules—especially in the high-wattage TopCon and MonoPERC series—are uniquely designed with dual rear rib reinforcements. This patented ribbing ensures greater mechanical stability, minimises glass sagging over time, and significantly reduces microcrack risks. This attention to structural integrity is critical for large-format modules operating in diverse Indian terrains.

2. High-Efficiency Performance: Credence is among the first Indian players to scale 210 mm TopCon-based bifacial modules up to 730 W, making it a leader in power density. Every product batch undergoes rigorous EL testing, and the modules are manufactured on a fully automated, AI-enabled 2.2 GW line, ensuring consistency, precision, and low thermal coefficient losses.

3. Long-Term Value for EPCs and Developers: Credence focuses on bankability and performance assurance. With ALMM and BIS approvals up to 730W, along with robust service support and the option for corporate warranty bonds, EPCs and developers gain long-term confidence. Our responsive technical team and transparency in BoM selection also reduce risk and enhance post-installation support.

4. Supply Chain Commitment: With a sharp focus on on-time deliveries, backward integration, and zero white-label practices, Credence stands out for product authenticity and traceability, which many developers today prioritise.

5. Partner-Centric Approach: We work closely with EPCs during the design, dispatch, and post-installation phases, offering site-level supervision and performance audits when needed. This collaborative approach ensures that we are not just a vendor but a trusted technical partner in the project lifecycle. 

In short, Credence isn’t just building panels—we’re building long-term trust through better engineering and honest execution.