Plans to ride on growing consumer & Government’s interest in Solar
Bharuch: Borosil, a brand well known for quality drinking water glasses that are used even by the Indian Army in Siachen at minus 40 degrees, also manufactures hi-tech glass used in making solar modules. Solar glass has the highest potential for growth as compared to any other form of glass today. Currently their solar glass production facility is operating at 132% of its capacity producing 171 tonnes/day. The target for fiscal year 2018-19 is an increase of 6% i.e. additional 10 tonnes/day over existing capacity. The Borosil Group has over half a century of expertise in specialty glass making, having achieved 10 ‘World Firsts’ in this field.
Gujarat Borosil Ltd (GBL) has made 2mm fully tempered solar glass for the first time in the world. International module makers have shown strong interest in GBL’s fully tempered 2mm solar glass.
75% of GBL’s production is bought by Indian clients like Tata Power Solar Ltd., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Central Electronics Ltd., Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd., EMMVEE Photovoltaic Power Pvt. Ltd. and many others.
The remainder 25% of their current production is exported to European clients like Solar Watt and RECOM from Germany, Reden Solar and Voltec from France, Trienergia and Sunerg from Italy. They also meet demand in countries like Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Poland, Estonia, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Kenya, USA and Mexico.
This new product enables the production of glass to glass modules, which are a quantum improvement over the existing modules available in the market. When such modules using bi-facial cells are installed on rooftops or on sand, the back of the module absorbs reflected light thus boosting power output by as much as 30%. Such modules can be made to float directly on water, because the excellent sealing possible between glasses imparts unprecedented moisture resistance. Large water bodies when covered with these floating modules will generate power while greatly inhibiting evaporation and saving land use for cultivation. By using glass as the back sheet in a module, the failure rate plummets to about 1% from the current 10%. This is because most problems leading to module failure arise from the plastic back sheet. The module life stands extended to 40 years, instead of the current 25 years bringing down the cost of ownership per KW dramatically.
Mr Pradeep Kheruka, Vice Chairman – GBL said, “The Government is strongly committed in bringing solar power to India. Over 90% of the benefit from this policy is accruing to the Chinese industry, which is strongly subsidized. Indian manufacturers of solar components have no subsidy and for the last four years are continuing to appeal to the Government to obtain a level playing field.”
Solar will be the driving force behind energy generation and reliance on fossil fuels is going to drop. This understanding is spreading to several countries around the world. The business is built upon years of trust and verification. GBL has been in this business for over 8 years and has 30 certifications for their products from various accredited bodies. In addition, the laws require that all solar modules be certified with each component specified. All their customers have certified modules using GBL glass, so may continue buying from them without applying afresh. Any new manufacturer has to pass these tests before selling can take place.
Awards and Recognitions: –
- FT 1000 High-Growth Companies Asia – Pacific 2018
- Best under a Billion from Forbes Magazine
- Federation of Gujarat Industries for outstanding Entrepreneur
- Gujarat Borosil Ltd. received an award for standing first as Emerging Leader in Excellence in Operations Management from CII in their 25th National Quality Summit 2017.
- NDTV-Mercer award for HR Most connected organization
- Finalist in Intersolar award for most outstanding development in the year.
- SEN Award from YPO International for elimination of Antimony from solar glass.
- Letter from Prime Minister
- Invitation to speak on Latest Developments in solar glass at Fraunhofer Institute
ABOUT GUJARAT BOROSIL LTD (A BSE & NSE listed company)
Gujarat Borosil Limited (GBL) was promoted by Borosil Glass Works Limited manufacturer of well known and household “BOROSIL” range of labware, scientificware and consumerware products to setup its most modern sheet glass plant at Govali, Dist. Bharuch (Gujarat) in 1994.
GBL until July, 2010 was manufacturing finest quality sheet glass in the country and has been the largest exporter in this segment.
GBL has set up a new facility in March 2010 to manufacture for the first time in Country Low Iron Solar Glass for application in Photovoltaic panels, Flat plate collectors and Green houses.
GBL’s product is of international class and is currently a significant portion of its production is being exported. Solar energy is now receiving due importance in the country also and GBL in due course plans to expand its capacity with a commitment to provide best value for money to its esteemed customers.
Gujarat Borosil Ltd. makes the world’s highest performing solar glass and in 2014 successfully eliminated the deadly poison – antimony – from its batch, making it the world’s first and only toxin-free solar glass.
2 mm tempered glass is not only lighter than the current world standard of 3.2 mm, but it also absorbs less solar energy while allowing higher irradiance to reach the solar cell. This will help in harnessing solar energy more efficiently than ever before.
The use of high transmission solar glass on both surfaces will allow the use of bifacial solar cells which will enhance module efficiency by 30%.
The polymer backsheet used in the conventional solar module has been identified as an important source from which module failures arise. The glass used at the back will allow uniform and better heat dissipation, leading to a more stable operation of the panel leading to greater longevity.
Finally, these glass-to-glass light-weight modules can be installed in the roof or even as the roof itself without expensive structural reinforcements thereby making it more economical for people to switch to solar energy.
About Mr Pradeep Kheruka, Vice Chairman – Gujarat Borosil Ltd
Mr Pradeep Kheruka has over 45 years experience in the glass industry. He is the Vice Chairman of Borosil Glass Works Limited as well as Vice Chairman at Gujarat Borosil Limited. He graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata in 1971 and has been associated with glass manufacturing ever since.
Contact:
Krishna Palekar (+91 9820306990), Savio Coelho (+91 9820858757), Lekha Lad (+91 9004978048) – Paradigm Shift PR – email: mohan.m.rajan@gmail.com
