Que: In markets like India, where cost, scalability, localisation and supply-chain risk are vital, how should companies strike the balance between in-house manufacturing and partner-ecosystem sourcing?

Ans: In-house manufacturing gives control over technology and quality. At the same time, utilising partner ecosystems helps companies scale faster and bring efficiencies in the commoditised products. So, companies should first define their strategic control area, value proposition and unique selling proposition (USP), then rationally make a choice to build in-house what defines the brand’s performance or reliability; outsource standard parts/process to build scale and cost competitiveness.

For outsourcing, choosing the right partner ecosystem is very critical to ensure quality while strengthening supply chain resilience. Thus, developing tier-1 and tier-2 supplier ecosystems with clear capability mapping is quintessential. This can help develop a plan to localise gradually from assembly to subcomponents to raw materials. Further, multiple partners/vendors should be developed to maintain regular supplies and build resilience.

The Indian government is pushing localisation under “Make in India”. Thus, working with local partners will give a strong edge; however, for technical capability, global technology partnerships will be beneficial. The idea is to increase local value addition while leveraging local and global partner ecosystems. For this, collaborating with partners through R&D support, training, and process digitalisation is the best way forward to reap maximum benefits.

Further, considering the volatility in the global market, a static manufacturing strategy is not sufficient. Manufacturing strategy should be dynamic, which can be updated at regular intervals utilising data-driven supply chain visibility tools (IoT, AI, traceability systems) to monitor performance, quality, and lead times.

Que: Given the focus on AI, sustainability, and emerging tech, how can Generative AI, robotics, and drones drive efficiencies in solar-asset operations for a company?

Ans: Solar solutions are now evolving as complete end-to-end solutions with hardware, software, monitoring and maintenance. Emerging technologies such as AI, robotics and drones drive efficiencies in a unique way. Gen AI can transform how solar assets are monitored, analysed and optimised across their lifecycles. These are strategic levers for making solar operations smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Utilising Gen AI, companies can transition from reactive asset management to an autonomous, self-optimising solar ecosystem. Gen AI can also help optimise the layouts for solar plants based on terrain, radiance, and cost parameters. As a next step, it can also help synthesise the energy forecasting data to grid intelligence, thus ensuring seamless and consistent power for solar consumers.

Robotics brings physical efficiency and accuracy to operations where human labour is costly, repetitive or risky. Robots can serve various purposes, from automating panel placement to continuous cleaning and inspection systems, which ensure minimum downtime and maximum output.

Drones can help identify sites for new installations, identifying anomalies, scheduling maintenance based on aerial surveys, asset tracking, audits and planning.

While all these technologies add value to existing operations, the real transformation comes when Generative AI + Robotics + Drones work in tandem. As they work simultaneously, wherein drones collect data, robotics execute field actions and Generative AI analyses, learns and predicts, we can expect higher uptime and output from solar installations, operational safety and lower levelised cost of energy.

Que: Financing remains a barrier for many solar adopters. How can companies use data analytics, platform models or fintech partnerships to loosen that barrier and scale deployment?

Ans: Solar awareness is increasing significantly, but financing is acting as one of the key roadblocks in accelerating solar adoption. Data analytics can support in two ways:

• Assessing the creditworthiness of solar adopters beyond traditional data, such as electricity consumption, payment histories, and digital transaction patterns.
• Dynamic pricing models can help customise loan terms or interest rates based on system size, geography, customer segment or predictable yield.

The solar finance mystery can be resolved through a platform approach. An aggregated platform can bring customers, installers, financers and insurers into one digital environment, which can help track the entire project cycle. From project design to loan approval to repayment tracking, platforms can streamline processes while reducing data duplication, paperwork and the need for continuous monitoring.

Fintech has revolutionised all major industries till now. Major models such as pay-as-you-go (PAYG), Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), or co-own solar assets (as part of blockchain-based investments) can be replicated in the solar industry.

As the market matures, there is a possibility that data, fintech, and platform models converge, and companies can offer ‘solar-as-a-service’ where customers don’t buy systems upfront and subscribe to clean power with guaranteed uptime and predictable pricing. This shifts solar from a capex-heavy product to an intelligent, financed service, powered by continuous data insights.

In the journey of decarbonisation, converting solar assets into investible securities can help raise funds easily from financiers. Data-backed performance tracking can help aggregate small solar projects into investible green portfolios. This will reduce systemic risk, provide easier capital access and align with India’s green finance ecosystem. Thus, by integrating IoT + data analytics + fintech partnerships, three key trends can change the financing landscape:

• Solar subscription as an offering rather than a product
• Building a green credit ecosystem for consumers
• Collaborating with banks, NBFCs and carbon markets for scalable solar deployment

Que: What emerging technology or business paradigm excites you most for the next wave of solar + tech evolution?

Ans: As the solar market is maturing, it is not only a source of generation, but also a paradigm that can redefine how consumers generate energy, utilise energy and trade energy. The convergence of intelligence, flexibility and finance is building a democratised energy ecosystem.


AI and automation are core technologies that can continue redefining the industry, while their roles will keep evolving. The role of AI and automation was perceived for installation support and decision-making for solar sites. Now, companies have started using it for predictive maintenance, maximising generation output and minimising downtime. However, in the future, utilising AI to combine weather data, load data, and grid data can help bring efficiency to both solar and grid operations.


IoT adoption can intelligently balance power generation, storage, and consumption at both micro solar sites and grid scale. It enhances energy self-consumption and reduces grid dependency. For example, a smart home energy management system (HEMS) uses IoT to automate load shifting (e.g. running appliances when solar generation peaks). IoT-enabled battery management systems can optimise charging cycles and create alerts before discharging.


As the data collection strengthens with the help of technologies such as AI, IoT, there is a huge opportunity for companies to build Energy-as-a-service offerings and build financing models like IoT-linked payment systems where loan instalments are auto-adjusted based on energy consumed or produced.


Another impact is the emergence of peer-to-peer trading platforms for energy exchange. This can push community-level adoption, where users can buy/sell excess solar power locally.


So, technology is the bridge between the physical energy world and the digital intelligence layer that is transforming static assets into a dynamic, data-rich energy ecosystem, unlocking efficiency, trust, and scalability across the value chain. This tech adoption and transformation in the energy landscape will reshape the future of clean energy adoption at the consumer level.

Que: How do you view the current state of gender diversity in the clean energy and technology sectors? What steps can organisations take to create more equitable opportunities?

Ans: The clean energy transition is reshaping industries, but the gender gap still shadows its progress. While women are increasingly visible in sustainability, policy, and community engagement roles, representation remained uneven in technical leadership and field-based positions. Women make up 32 percent of the renewable energy workforce and 35 percent of the tech workforce in 2025. This number has grown significantly from the early 2000s, when women's representation was only 8 percent that too mostly in administrative roles.

Women are now taking c-suite and leadership positions, redefining the opportunities at all roles and levels, including field jobs. Gender diversity is not just a moral imperative; it is a performance multiplier. Women-led organisations show stronger ESG alignment, community connect and stakeholder trust.

Equitable opportunities are no longer a buzzword; organisations need to make conscious choices to promote equality and diversity. Here are some steps companies can take:

• Build from the pipeline, not just the boardroom: Encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM, energy, and sustainability through mentorships, scholarships and internships. The right mentors create the right leaders and the right workforce.
• Flexible and equitable work structures: Adopt hybrid roles, field safety measures, and family-friendly policies that support women’s participation in both project and technical domains.
• Create networks and allyship: Build mentorship circles and leadership forums that amplify women’s voices and enable cross-sector learning. Male allies should be sensitised and educated to handle projects as co-partners irrespective of gender.
• Measure, report, and be accountable: Identify the impact of gender diversity in different functions and work profiles. Measuring the impact, reporting the best practices, and challenges can help organisations improve the work environment. Further, transparent data on pay equity, promotions, and hiring fosters accountability and a healthy work environment.

The clean energy transition is not just about decarbonising economies – it is about building new business models, exploring new technologies, diversifying leadership and democratising opportunities. The more inclusive we make this transition, the more sustainable and innovative our outcomes will be.