EQ In Exclusive Conversation With Mr. Shantanu Sirsath – Technical Head India – Growatt New Energy

Q1: What kind of market do you anticipate in 2023 in terms of Utility / C&I / Residential?

In 2023, the Indian energy market is poised to undergo significant transformations across the utility, commercial and industrial (C&I), and residential sectors. These changes are driven by a combination of technological advancements, policy shifts, and evolving consumer preferences, all contributing to a landscape that is more sustainable, digitized, and decentralized.

In the utility sector, India’s commitment to renewable energy continues to gain momentum. The government’s ambitious targets, backed by supportive policies and incentives, are likely to result in a substantial increase in renewable energy capacity, in particular, solar and wind power. As renewable energy technologies become more cost-effective and efficient, utility-scale projects will likely proliferate. Moreover, advancements in energy storage technologies will play a crucial role in enhancing grid stability and reliability by mitigating the intermittency of renewable.

In the C&I sector, businesses are increasingly recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of transition towards sustainable energy sources. This shift is driven by not only the environmental concernsbut also the potential for cost savings and brand reputation. Solar installations on commercial rooftops and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies are likely to witness an uptick. Additionally, the concept of energy-as-a-service is gaining traction, allowing companies to outsource their energy needs to specialized providers, there by focusing on their core operations while meeting sustainability goals.

On the residential front, the distributed energy revolution is reshaping how energy is consumed and generated. Rooftop solar installations combined with energy storage solutions are becoming more affordable and accessible to home owners. This empowers residents to generate their own energy, reduce reliance on the grid, and potentially even feed excess energy back to it. Smart home technologies and energy management systems enable home owners to monitor and optimize their energy usage, fostering a culture of energy efficiency.

Q2: What are your current product / technology / service offerings?

At Growatt, we provide all-scenario solutions for global customers to embrace eco-friendly lifestyles while reducing carbon footprints. Our comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions include PV inverters, energy storage systems, EV chargers and smart energy management solutions, widely applied in residential, C&I and utility sectors.

Thanks to years of experience in R&D and a robust team currently comprising over 1100 professionals, we are able to quickly adapt to market trends and empower energy users with customized products and solutions. Our R&D team continuously introduces new upgrades and innovations in the energy efficiency, functional safety and intelligent solutions.

Growatt offer localized and customer-oriented services to our global customers through a network of 42 offices worldwide. Our dedicated customer support teams ensure timely sales, marketing, warehousing and technical service and support. Besides,our Online Smart Service (OSS) system enables installers, integrators and distributors to manage and maintain their solar plants remotely and intelligently for improved service efficiency and reduced O&M costs. So far, Growatt has set five representative sites in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi to offer localized service for Indian customers.

Q3: Visible Changes in Renewable Energy (RE) Industry w.r.t. Energy Storage, RTC, Hybrid RE Projects, Floating etc and their likely impact：

As I mentioned, the REindustry has been undergoing significant changes in recent years, with several emerging trends.

• Energy storage technologies have revolutionized the way renewable energy is integrated into the grid.The ability to store excess energy and release it when needed addresses the intermittency of solarpower, enhances grid stability by smoothing out fluctuations inenergy generation, reducing the need for immediate backup power sources. It also facilitates peak load management with higher levels of renewable energy penetration.
• Achieving Round-the-Clock (RTC) power generation from renewable sources is becoming more feasible due to advancements in technology and project design. This involves combining different renewable sources and energy storage to provide a continuous power supply, which addresses the variability of individual renewable sources, leading towards reduced carbon emissions and greater energy independence.
• Hybrid RE projects that integrate multiple renewable technologies or sources offer synergistic benefits and improved energy output.These projects efficiently utilize available resources, optimizing land use and infrastructure. By combining complementary renewable sources, they leads to a more stable and consistent energy output, reducing the effects of intermittency. Furthermore, hybrid projects diversify risk by not relying solely on one energy source, making the overall energy supply more resilient.
• Floating solar installations on water bodies have gained attention for their unique advantages including land conservation, improved efficiency and water management.Water cooling improves solar panel efficiency, increasing energy output and reducing degradation, and floating solar can help reduce water evaporation, making it beneficial for water-intensive regions.

Q4: As the REI Expo 2023 is approaching, what can we anticipate from Growatt’s presentation at the event?

Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo 2023 serves as a premier platform to display Growatt’s comprehensive range of clean energy solutions for the India market.

At the Expo, Growatt will display the MAX 100-125KTL3-X LV,designed for large-scale C&I solar power plants, breaks barriers with their unmatched power density. With the highest power rating for single units and string current capacity at 16A, they promise exceptional performance.

They are perfectly compatible with highpower and bi-facial modules, minimizing power loss and driving profitability. Additional functionalities like PID, AFCI, and PLC communication reduce costs and enhance solar power generation, directly impacting the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE).

For the Indian market, Growatt presents the MAX 185-253KTL3-X HV 1500V string inverters featuring by easy installation, compact design, and up to 200% overload, which is tailored to ground-mounted and utility-based projects. These inverters satisfy diverse module preferences with 12 to 15 MPPTsand ensure a maximum efficiency of 99%. Notably, the MAX inverters are equipped with built-in string monitoring and smart I/V curve scanning.

The REI 2023 will highlight the NEO 2000M-X microinverter, an top-notch solution for Indian small balcony and rooftop PV installations. This innovative product combines safety, flexibility, and powerful performance in one system. We will also unveil the renewed MID 33-50KTL3-X2 inverter as well as the WIT storage inverter + APX commercial battery combo designed for C&I applications.

Join us at Booth 7.101 to explore our smart energy solutions and engage in lively discussions with our team.