India’s solar superstar

India stands at the forefront of the global renewable energy revolution with its vast solar potential. Blessed with roughly 300 sunny days per year, India has an estimated solar energy potential of 750 gigawatts. Recognizing this immense opportunity, the Indian Government has set a target of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 280 gigawatts coming from solar power.

One company that is critical to helping meet this goal is the Emmvee Group, which for almost 35 years has pioneered the manufacturing and commissioning of solar-powered solutions in India, leading it to become one of the top brands of solar water heating systems and high-performance photovoltaic (PV) modules in the country.

Yet this incredible success was far from guaranteed when Founder and Managing Director DV Manjunatha began his entrepreneurial journey back in 1992.

“As soon as I graduated, I was considering what would be the right business to enter,” he says. “At that time, India was suffering huge power cuts, particularly in the mornings when people would need their hot water, so we saw an opportunity and launched Emmvee Solar Systems, manufacturing solar water heaters.”

Power up

Despite establishing one successful company, Manjunatha remained ambitious and on the lookout for new opportunities, which led him to launch Emmvee Photovoltaic Power in 2007.

“At that time solar power wasn’t widely used in India, only for some minor projects like street lights, but there was growing demand in Europe,” he says.

“So we got all the certificates required to cater to international markets, and we began manufacturing and exporting.”

It didn’t take long until Emmvee became one of the leading manufacturers of PV modules developed at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India. Emmvee also became one of the first Indian solar PV manufacturers to start international operations by setting up an office in Berlin, Germany, to distribute their PV modules in Europe.

Several major projects Emmvee has supplied include a major solar project for Cochin International Airport – making it the world’s first 100 percent solar-powered airport in the world – and a giant solar power plant in Karnataka.

Manjunatha notes that as demand for solar power has increased, so too has international competition, yet Emmvee continues to stand out from its competitors, thanks to its extensive list of accreditations and certifications.

For example, in July 2024, Emmvee Group proudly distinguished itself as the only Indian manufacturer to be a top performer across all categories in the prestigious Kiwa PVEL Product Qualification Program testing. This extraordinary accomplishment places Emmvee among an elite group of just four companies worldwide to achieve such a comprehensive level of excellence.

Thanks to this achievement, Manjunatha is confident about Emmvee’s current performance and its future.

“I know how we started, where we are and that my customers are very happy to deal with us,” he says. “When we commit to something, we always deliver on it, whether that’s on quality, timely delivery or the transparency of our company.

“These are some of the major reasons why my customers love dealing with us.”

Super suppliers

To support such ambitious growth targets, working with the right suppliers and ensuring they are properly equipped is critical, says Manjunatha.

“Suppliers are crucial to our business because we depend on the right quality of products delivered at the right time,” he notes. “That’s why we always keep very good relations with our suppliers.”

This includes dealing with key suppliers personally, working together to solve problems and ensuring that payments are made on time.

“All our suppliers, both in India and abroad, are very happy to deal with us because of our transparency and the level of respect we show them. As a result, most of our suppliers give us priority and preference when it comes to pricing, supply chain and contingencies,” he says.

“They go the extra mile to help us, so we go the extra mile when working with them.”

Looking ahead, as the Indian Government’s 2030 renewable energy target approaches, we can expect to hear of many more major projects featuring Emmvee, in addition to a growing number across Europe as the demand for solar energy increases.

“We will continue to provide innovative, cutting-edge technology to our customers while supporting our suppliers, helping them upgrade their technologies so they can support our aims,” he says.

“Likewise, I want Emmvee to become an aspirational workplace. Our talented team members are equipped to lead the future of renewable energy in the company.”