Que: Eastman has been a recognised name for residential solar and battery solutions. What prompted the shift towards the C&I segment, particularly with the Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel)?

Ans: Eastman has indeed built a strong legacy in the residential solar and battery segment, and that foundation has given us deep insights into energy needs across different user categories. Over the past few years, we've witnessed a significant surge in demand from Commercial and Industrial (C&I) consumers who are seeking high-efficiency, grid-compliant, and reliable energy solutions to manage costs, meet sustainability goals, and ensure energy security.

The launch of Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) is a strategic response to that shift. It marks our entry into the C&I segment with a product specifically engineered for high-demand environments. With features like high AC output current, compatibility with bifacial panels up to 700W, and smart grid integration, the Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) is built to deliver peak performance, safety, and flexibility at scale. It reflects our broader vision—to not just power homes, but to empower industries, businesses, and institutions to transition confidently towards clean energy.

Que: How do you assess the current demand trends in India’s C&I solar market, and what specific challenges are businesses like warehouses, SMEs, and institutions facing in their solar adoption journey?

Ans: With energy costs rising and businesses becoming more sustainability-conscious, solar adoption is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative. Warehouses, SMEs, and institutions are increasingly looking for energy solutions that can lower operational costs, improve reliability, and enhance their green credentials.

However, the journey isn’t without challenges. One of the major roadblocks is the upfront capital investment, which can deter smaller players despite long-term savings. There's also limited awareness about evolving financing models like RESCO or leasing. Additionally, many industrial rooftops are structurally complex or shaded, requiring customised solutions. Another critical challenge is the regulatory landscape—it varies state to state and can be confusing, especially when it comes to net metering, zero export norms, or grid synchronisation.

Que: Can you give us a detailed overview of the Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel), its key specifications, capabilities, and how is it different from competing products in the market?

Ans: The Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) is Eastman’s latest single phase & three-phase grid-tie inverter, purpose-built for the Residential, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solar segment. It’s a robust, high-efficiency solution engineered to meet the power demands of warehouses, factories, educational institutions, and large commercial buildings.

At its core, the product offers a high DC input voltage capacity and supports up to 1.5x PV installation overload, ensuring maximum energy harvest from larger and more complex solar arrays. With a low startup voltage, it starts generating power early in the day—even under low light—improving daily yield. It also offers the highest AC output current in its class, making it ideal for high-load environments. Importantly, it’s compatible with bifacial panels up to 700W, helping boost output even further by capturing reflected sunlight. Eastman offers a comprehensive range of Grid Tie Inverters, from 3kW to 110kW, catering to a wide variety of needs. Our three-phase Grid Tie Inverter range (5kW to 110kW) is tailored specifically for residential and commercial solar installations, combining flexibility, scalability, and cutting-edge technology in one solution.

From a durability standpoint, it’s built to last. The inverter operates reliably in a wide temperature range from -25°C to +60°C and is housed in an IP65-rated enclosure, making it dustproof and waterproof. An

intelligent cooling system ensures consistent performance under high load without thermal derating. The product is backed by a 10-year warranty, underlining our commitment to long-term performance.

On the safety front, Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) comes with a comprehensive protection suite—including DC reverse polarity, AC overcurrent/overvoltage, short-circuit, and thermal protection—along with Type II surge protection on both DC and AC sides to protect against grid instability and voltage spikes.

What truly sets it apart is its smart connectivity. It supports multiple communication options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPRS, 4G, and LAN, ensuring seamless remote monitoring. It's also smart grid-ready and supports both Zero Export and Virtual Synchronous Generator (VSG) functionalities—giving businesses more control and flexibility in managing their energy flow.

In comparison to many competing products in the market, Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) combines industrial-grade performance with ease of use, advanced digital integration, and long-term reliability—without compromising on safety or scalability. It’s not just another inverter; it’s a strategic energy tool designed to help businesses transition smoothly into solar while maximising ROI.

Que: Is the Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) fully indigenously manufactured? How does Eastman leverage in-house R&D and manufacturing to maintain quality, affordability, and faster market rollout?

Ans: The Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) is a result of Eastman’s unwavering commitment to ‘Make in India’ and our vision of becoming a globally respected solar energy products manufacturer. Through backward integration, we manufacture critical components of the Grid Tie Inverter in-house at our advanced power electronics facility, ensuring superior quality and consistent performance.

Our strength lies in robust in-house R&D capabilities. From firmware development to system architecture, the Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel) is designed to meet the unique challenges of Indian C&I consumers—such as load variability, extreme weather conditions, and the demand for smart grid compatibility. This level of control enables us to maintain high-quality standards across every stage of production.

We operate four dedicated manufacturing facilities for power electronics components, maintaining the highest levels of quality and control. With technologies such as Injection Moulding, Surface Mount Technology, and Manual Insertion, we lead the way in inverter innovation.

This seamless synergy between R&D and manufacturing empowers us to deliver reliable, feature-rich, and cost-effective solutions. We’re not just making inverters—we’re building solutions made for India and ready for the world.

Que: How does the company ensure service for the products?

Ans: At Eastman, customer satisfaction doesn’t end with product delivery—it continues throughout the entire lifecycle of our solutions. Powered by a robust pan-India service network, we ensure reliable, on-demand support wherever our customers operate—be it in urban, semi-urban, or rural regions.

Our expansive service infrastructure guarantees:
● Fast response times
● Expert on-site assistance
● A strong maintenance ecosystem

Every service technician is factory-trained and fully equipped to handle everything from product installation to complex technical troubleshooting—ensuring uninterrupted performance, especially for our Commercial & Industrial (C&I) clients, where uptime is mission-critical.

We’ve introduced several customer-centric service initiatives to enhance user experience and deliver service excellence:

● 24x7 Call Centre: Easy complaint logging through a dedicated helpline.
● AI-Powered Voicebot: Intelligent voice support that ensures your complaint is registered seamlessly.
● Complaint Management CRM: Tracks the complete customer journey and ensures timely resolution.
● Eastman Assure: A dedicated customer service portal offering a one-stop solution for service needs.
● Technical Self-Help Videos: Step-by-step product installation and troubleshooting guides available online.

At Eastman, our commitment goes beyond power—it’s about powering trust and ensuring peace of mind.

Que: How is Eastman positioning itself as a complete Solar energy solutions provider — from inverters to storage and beyond?

Ans: Eastman is redefining solar energy by offering a comprehensive, end-to-end portfolio tailored for Commercial & Industrial (C&I) customers. From power conversion to intelligent storage, we provide everything needed to build a reliable, efficient, and scalable solar energy system.

Our Grid Tie Inverter range—GridXcel, SolarLink, and Solvance—caters to diverse applications from 3 kW to 110 kW, available in both Single Phase and Three Phase variants. Designed for rooftop installations, these inverters ensure high performance in urban, semi-urban, and industrial settings.

For hybrid energy needs, our OptiGrid Hybrid Inverters (3 kW to 10 kW) offer smart integration of solar, grid, and battery power, ensuring energy reliability and backup, even during outages. Eastman also leads in storage with a wide range of Lithium Batteries (2.5 kWh to 20+ kWh) available in Wall-Mounted, Floor-Mounted, and Rack-Type formats—perfect for load balancing and peak shaving in C&I environments. Complementing this is our trusted portfolio of Lead Acid Batteries and Off-Grid Inverters for grid-deficient or backup-heavy regions.

Our high-efficiency Solar Panels form the core of every system, supported by a strong service infrastructure and digital support tools.

With in-house R&D and backward-integrated manufacturing, Eastman ensures quality, performance, and peace of mind—making us the preferred partner for C&I businesses looking to transition to sustainable energy.

Que: How is Eastman leveraging its core strength as an end-to-end manufacturer of solar products?

Ans: Eastman’s core strength lies in its vertically integrated manufacturing ecosystem, enabling full control over the design, development, and production of solar energy systems. From solar panels and inverters to lithium and lead-acid batteries, every critical component is engineered in-house—ensuring seamless integration, enhanced reliability, and cost efficiency.

By owning the entire value chain, we are able to optimise performance, reduce dependency on third-party integrations, and accelerate innovation based on real-time market feedback. It also gives us the flexibility to tailor solutions for diverse applications—from rural homes and urban rooftops to high-demand commercial and industrial setups.

This integrated approach allows customers to engage with a single trusted partner for everything—from system sizing and component delivery to after-sales support and lifecycle management. More than just

delivering hardware, we are enabling long-term energy reliability, simplified operations, and greater peace of mind for those investing in clean power.

Eastman has made substantial investments in building a robust manufacturing backbone, with eight state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across India—each dedicated to supporting the company’s vision of innovation, quality, and vertical integration. With this strong ‘Made in India’ approach, Eastman is firmly establishing itself as a complete end-to-end Solar Products Manufacturer on the global stage.

Que: How are you preparing for the digitisation and automation wave sweeping the energy industry? Are there any specific digital solutions or smart technologies that you have integrated with Grid Tie Inverter (GridXcel)?

Ans: At Eastman, we recognise that the future of the energy industry lies in digitalisation, data intelligence, and automation. To stay ahead, we’ve embedded smart technologies across our product ecosystem—especially in our flagship Grid Tie Inverter series (GridXcel)—to enhance performance visibility, remote control, and proactive maintenance.
A key enabler of this transformation is the integration of our proprietary platforms:

Eastman One Stick
A compact Wi-Fi/4G plug-and-play device that connects directly to the GridXcel inverter, enabling real-time data transmission to the cloud. It acts as a bridge between the inverter and our monitoring system, allowing seamless connectivity in both residential and C&I setups.

Eastman One Remote Monitoring Application
An intuitive web and mobile-based platform designed for remote monitoring, diagnostics, and performance analytics. It offers:

● Live input/output readings
● Efficiency tracking
● Daily/monthly energy yield graphs
● Fault detection and alert management
● Multi-site monitoring for industrial customers

These digital tools empower EPCs, O&M teams, and end users to monitor system health, reduce downtime, and optimise energy generation remotely—a critical requirement for Commercial & Industrial clients where uptime and energy analytics directly impact ROI.

By integrating digital intelligence into our hardware, Eastman is building not just solar products—but smart energy ecosystems.