Solid Solar Commissions 20 MWp Plant Using Gautam Solar’s TOPCon Modules in Uttarakhand

Solid Solar has commissioned 20 MWp Solar Power Project in Malna/Patara village of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The plan is powered by Gautam Solar’s TOPCon bifacial modules and is to be developed across a single hill at an elevation of more than 5000 feet above sea level.

Building a solar plant of this scale on a single hill presented challenges far removed from those of a conventional flat solar site. The steep, rocky and uneven terrain, remote Himalayan location and limited accessibility meant that almost every stage of the project had to be adapted to the challenging terrain, harsh climatic conditions, wildlife risks, logistical constraints and manpower limitations.

The first challenge was getting the plant layout right. Given the significant variations in elevation and terrain, Solid Solar announced the creation of a detailed 3D model of the entire hill that enabled the design and site teams to plan the placement of modules and supporting structures according to the actual contours, helping achieve a precise layout while making the best use of the available space and sunlight.

Construction at the site was complicated by limited access, as much of the hill was inaccessible to conventional vehicles. Materials and solar modules were transported using a ropeway, while other sections required controlled sliding mechanisms, manpower-based chain-link systems and mules to move equipment across difficult terrain.

The rocky ground also restricted the use of heavy machinery for piling and foundation work. Portable handheld equipment was used to break and drill through the rock in areas inaccessible to larger equipment. Chemical grouting was also employed to secure the columns, adapted to the conditions of the rocky hillside.

Gautam Solar’s n-type TOPCon bifacial modules have been deployed across the project. The technology allows the modules to generate electricity from sunlight reaching both sides of the panel, bringing solar technology to a project where module selection had to be suite to demanding site conditions. The plant has reportedly delivered stronger performance than several other solar installations in the surrounding region. While performance varies depending on site and operating conditions, these reported results add to the significance of a large-scale solar installation developed in such a terrain.

Mukesh Agrawal, Managing Director, Solid Solar, said, “Building a plant of this scale on a single hill required meticulous planning, innovative thinking to develop out-of-the-box solutions and close coordination between the design and site engineering teams. The successful commissioning of our 20 MWp Solar PV Plant in Malna/Patara village is an important milestone for us and reflects the engineering effort that went into its execution. As the project neared completion, its scale and complexity attracted several visitors who came to see the solar plant, with some describing it as an ‘engineering marvel’ underscoring the exceptional complexity of developing a large-scale solar plant across a single, highly uneven hill.”  

Commenting on the occasion, Gautam Mohanka, Managing Director, Gautam Solar, said, “The Uttarkashi project demonstrates the potential for advanced solar technology to be deployed in challenging geographical conditions. Our TOPCon bifacial modules powering this project are part of an approach that combines technology with site-specific engineering and meticulous execution.”