Kosol Energie: Empowering Solar Living with Innovation, Sustainability and Global Excellence

Kosol Energie: Empowering Solar Living with Innovation, Sustainability and Global Excellence

Kosol Energie

Kosol Energie

Did you know one solar panel can produce enough electricity to power a typical household for several hours daily? The renewable energy sector, particularly solar power, is growing exponentially globally. With its abundant sunlight and increasing energy demands, India is heading this revolution.  We are using the power of the sun to light up our homes, charge our devices, run equipment in industries, and even power our cars. With solar energy, this vision is becoming a reality. This incredible technology is at the heart of Kosol Energie, a company founded by the visionary entrepreneur Kalpesh Kalthia.
Kalpesh Kalthia, CMD of Kosol Energie, with a deep-rooted passion for renewable energy and experience in the sector, started Kosol Energie in 2012 to empower solar living.
Kosol Energie provides a comprehensive range of solar energy solutions, including solar rooftop installations, ground-mounted solar power plants, floating solar plants, and battery energy storage systems to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
In the spotlight, founder Kalpesh Kalthia is in an interview for our prestigious “The 10 Most Trusted Solar Panel Manufacturers In India 2025” edition. Learn from his insights as an entrepreneur to excel and make your company the best in the industry. Stay tuned to discover their story of growth.

Prime Insights: Can you share the story behind the inception of your company?

Kosol Energie was born out of my deep passion for renewable energy and my extensive experience in the sector. I founded the company in 2010, but my journey in the energy industry started much earlier. From 2004 to 2010, I served as the Managing Director of Suzlon Structure, where we specialized in windmills with tubular towers. That experience gave me valuable insights into the renewable energy space.
Before that, I was in the healthcare sector and started a clinical research lab in India from 2002 to 2005. However, the potential of renewable energy always fascinated me, and by 2009, I had shifted my focus to solar energy. I became an investor and mentor for Sunray in the solar sector, and my involvement there gave me a strong foundation to eventually take over the company and establish Kosol Energie in 2012.
Solar energy appeals to me because it simplifies energy generation against consumption. Unlike wind turbines, which need multiple components to produce just one unit of energy, solar power systems are easier to install and can be deployed almost anywhere. This accessibility makes solar energy the best choice for helping communities and meeting diverse energy needs.
Under my leadership, Kosol Energie has grown into one of India’s top 10 solar companies by 2023. This growth is the result of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. I take pride in how we’ve been able to cater to diverse energy needs across cultural and economic landscapes while staying true to our vision of “Empowering Solar Living.”

Prime Insights: What are the offerings (services/solutions)?

At Kosol Energie, our vision is to promote solar living, providing 360-degree solar solutions that address every sector of solar energy, and making sure that we meet the diverse energy needs of individuals, businesses, and industries.
  • Solar + BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
  • Solar Rooftops & C&I
  • Solar Agro Solutions
  • Floating Solar
  • EPC of utility-scale ground-mounted solar
  • Solar PV Modules
  • Captive and Group Captive

Prime Insights: What inspired the founding of your company, and how has your journey evolved over the years?

Kosol’s journey started with a bold vision to create the best solar products in the world. With a clear concept of “Empowering Solar Living” in manufacturing machinery, we set out to revolutionize the solar industry.
2012: We launched with a 50 MW PV module capacity, incorporating world-class standards and technology from leading European companies. Our BOM was top-tier, ensuring the highest quality in EPC and rooftop.
Gujarat Solar Tender: A landmark moment was when we secured a 13-crore joint venture with SunEdison.This project was a game-changer, giving us deep insight into the solar industry and initiating our expansion.
2018: We expanded our plant to 250 MW, cementing our position as a leading player in solar manufacturing and EPC.
2023: A monumental leap—1.1 GW capacity, adding 850 MW of production to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.
2024: We achieved another significant milestone with an expansion to 3.1 GW, marking our leadership in the sector and reflecting our continued growth.
We started our journey with a modest 7KW EPC project, marking the beginning of what has now become a remarkable growth story. Over the years, we have grown our operations significantly, culminating in the successful completion of a 250MW single-location project. From initially selling 5KW solar modules, we have grown to handle orders as large as 300MW in a single transaction, showing our expanding capabilities and ability to meet the demands of large-scale energy projects. This progress highlights our innovation and commitment to transforming the global energy landscape. From our humble beginnings to becoming a global powerhouse, Kosol’s story is one of relentless growth, excellence, and dedication to advancing renewable energy.

Prime Insights: What differentiates your solar panels from other competitors in terms of technology and efficiency?

Kosol’s solar panels stand out in the industry due to our advanced technology and efficiency. We differentiate ourselves in two key areas:
Materials: We have made a strong partnership with leading Korean companies for the encapsulant material for our solar panels. This ensures that we use only top-grade materials throughout the production process. Whether it’s for solar streetlights or rooftop installations, utility-scale projects, or exports to the USA, we maintain a single Bill of Materials (BOM) across all applications for consistency ensuring uniform quality and performance.
Manufacturing process: Our manufacturing process is highly automated, with no human input, looking after precise and consistent production. The advanced machinery we use is compatible with next-generation solar technology, helping us to stay ahead of industry trends. Our A-grade quality control (QC) makes sure that each panel meets the highest standards of durability and performance.
Kosol’s solar panels are among the most efficient in the market, boasting 24% module efficiency, which is one of the highest available today. This means our panels generate more power, even in limited space, maximizing energy output.
To ensure long-term reliability, we conduct random spot checks and send panels for longevity testing, ensuring that our products perform optimally for years.
These innovations make Kosol solar panels highly efficient, reliable, and futuristic, providing superior performance in all environments.

Prime Insights: How do you look for consistent quality and reliability in your solar panel manufacturing process?

At Kosol, ensuring consistent quality and reliability in our solar panel manufacturing process is a top priority.
Commitment to Automation
Since 2012, we’ve placed a strong emphasis on automation to meet the increasing complexity of solar panel production. Our entire expansion strategy is based on automation, and today, we operate one of the most automated plants in the industry. From the start of production to the final palettization, every step is automated, eliminating human error and ensuring consistent, high-quality output.
Advanced Quality Control (QC)
Our AI-enabled QC system makes sure that every panel undergoes rigorous testing. With one panel produced every 18 seconds, each panel is tested 8 times during the production line, so that no panel leaves the factory without meeting our strict quality standards. This minimizes the risk of defects and checks the reliability of each product.
Stringent QC Processes
We have a stringent, multi-step QC process in place to guarantee that each panel is up to our high standards. This includes random spot checks to further ensure consistency in performance.
Longevity Testing
At Kosol, we look after the long-term reliability of our solar panels through random longevity testing. In this process, we select random panels from each batch and put them to extensive long-term durability tests. These tests create real-world conditions to see how the panels perform over time, including exposure to harsh weather, temperature fluctuations, and other environmental factors.

Prime Insights: How has Kosol Energie built and maintained a strong, cohesive team to support its rapid growth and innovation in the solar industry?

At Kosol Energie, we’ve built a strong and cohesive team that forms the backbone of our operations. Our dedicated R&D division works tirelessly on innovative solar panel designs, while our skilled design team provides personalized energy solutions for a wide range of clients. We place a strong emphasis on continuous training, ensuring our employees stay ahead in the rapidly evolving solar industry. This integrated team-building approach has been key to achieving major milestones, such as expanding our manufacturing capacity to 3.1 GW.

Prime Insights: What is Kosol Energie’s revenue growth plan, and how does the company aim to achieve it by 2030?

We at Kosol Energie are on a clear trajectory to achieve USD 1 billion in revenue by 2030. This target is supported by a robust growth plan, which includes a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20%. Our expansion strategy is focused on scaling up our manufacturing capacity, demonstrated by our increase in solar module production from 1.1 GW to 3.1 GW. This expansion is crucial in meeting the growing energy demands while capturing a larger share of both domestic and international markets. Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and our active participation in key renewable energy initiatives, we are confident in achieving our ambitious financial and operational goals.

Prime Insights: How has Kosol Energie earned the trust of its major EPC clients?

I’ve earned the trust of major EPC clients like NTPC, NLC, and GSECL through my unwavering commitment to quality, transparency, and reliability. I ensure consistent performance with a single BOM across all applications, and rigorous testing guarantees long-term durability. My portfolio includes landmark projects like a 250 MW single-location installation, showcasing my ability to handle large-scale, complex energy projects. These achievements have solidified my reputation as a dependable partner trusted by some of the most prominent names in the industry.

Prime Insights: How does Kosol Energie ensure world-class production standards and maintain its leadership in the renewable energy sector?

At Kosol Energie, I meticulously select our plant and machinery suppliers to ensure world-class production. We partner with leading European technology providers for advanced manufacturing systems compatible with next-generation solar technologies. This focus on precision automation minimizes errors, boosts efficiency, and enables us to produce high-quality, high-efficiency solar panels. These strategic partnerships are key to maintaining our leadership in the renewable energy sector and meeting diverse client needs across various climates and geographies.

Prime Insights: What are the unique features of your solar panels that address the challenges of India’s diverse climate conditions?

Kosol’s solar panels are designed to thrive in India’s diverse climate conditions, ensuring reliable performance across India’s diverse and challenging weather environments. Whether it’s the desert heat, tropical humidity, or even snowy conditions, our panels can handle it all.
Uniform BOM
As part of our company policy, we use the same BOM for all our solar panels, regardless of location. This makes sure that our panels are made with high-quality, durable materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, moisture, and other environmental factors across a wide range of climates—from arid deserts to the humid tropics, and even snowy regions.
Reliable Performance in All Environments
Kosol’s solar panels are made to provide consistent energy output regardless of the weather. The high-grade materials make sure that the panels have high efficiency and longevity, even in the most demanding conditions.
With these robust features, our solar panels provide unmatched reliability and performance across the varied and often extreme climates of India and beyond.

Prime Insights: How do you get sustainability and eco-friendliness in your manufacturing and business operations?

At Kosol, sustainability and eco-friendliness are at the core of our manufacturing and business operations. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while contributing to the well-being of communities.
We take our responsibility for e-waste seriously. Kosol holds an E-waste certificate and strictly follows the Government of India’s e-waste disposal regulations. This ensures that any material that cannot be reused or recycled is disposed of responsibly, minimizing our impact on the environment.
We are actively working towards making our manufacturing facility carbon-neutral by using energy-efficient technologies and adopting renewable energy sources, as per global sustainability standards.
As part of our corporate social responsibility, we donate or sell rooftop solar installations at minimal cost to educational institutions, government schools, medical facilities, and organizations supporting communities below the poverty line. This helps us provide renewable energy access to underserved areas, helping communities with sustainable energy solutions and contributing to a cleaner, greener future.

Prime Insights: Can you tell us about the research and development behind your solar panel innovations?

Kosol, R&D is a continuous and critical part of our growth strategy, making sure that our solar panels are innovative.

 

Ongoing Innovation and Efficiency Gains

Our R&D efforts are an ongoing process, with an average 1% increase in efficiency every year.

Dedicated R&D Team and Reliability Lab
We have a dedicated R&D team that works hard in our Reliability Lab, where we do rigorous tests to improve panel performance, durability, and overall efficiency. Our testing grounds are among the most advanced in the industry, a capability that sets us apart from many other companies.
Global Market Focus
We maintain constant attention on the international market, ensuring that we are aware of the latest advancements and trends in solar technology. This global perspective allows us to stay ahead of the competition and be the first movers in innovation.
Extensive Testing of New Concepts
At any given moment, 5 panels are undergoing testing with varied BOMs to evaluate whether they outperform or fall short of our current offerings. This rigorous testing helps us identify and incorporate the best materials and technologies into our products.
Through these continuous efforts, Kosol leads the way in solar panel innovation, consistently improving efficiency and performance to meet the evolving needs of the global market.

Prime Insights: How do you build trust with your customers and ensure transparency in your business practices?

We build trust with our customers through transparency and hands-on engagement. This approach has earned us a reputation for reliability, reflected in our single BOM system, which simplifies and streamlines the process. As a result, we have gained the appreciation of leading companies such as NLC and NTPC.
We also provide complete traceability of the raw materials used in our panels, ensuring full transparency and confidence in the quality and sourcing of our products. This openness builds long-term relationships built on trust.

Prime Insights: What measures do you take to ensure affordability and accessibility for your products in the Indian market?

As we expand to a capacity of 3.1 GW, economies of scale work in our favor, helping us to provide more affordable pricing. Additionally, by providing solar panels as part of a complete solution, we make our products more accessible to a wider range of customers, further enhancing affordability in the Indian market.

Prime Insights: How do you look after the specific needs of residential, commercial, and industrial solar energy consumers?

At Kosol, we look after the specific needs of residential, commercial, and industrial solar energy consumers through a personalized and holistic approach, making sure that each segment’s unique requirements are met efficiently.
Dedicated Design Team
Our team of skilled designers works closely with each client to understand their specific energy needs.
We provide solar rooftop solutions that are custom-made to go with both the client’s energy consumption and available roof space.
Our installation process is both practiced and meticulous, giving a smooth and efficient transition to solar energy.
Customized Solutions for Commercial Clients
For commercial projects, we provide personalized solar designs that address the unique needs of each business. A recent example involved a customer seeking to maximize energy generation while preserving valuable rooftop space. Initially, the proposal was to install a 220KW system by utilizing the full roof area, but the energy output fell short of expectations. Our design team revised the layout to orient all the panels in the optimal direction, reducing the system size to 170KW while still meeting the desired energy generation. This approach allowed the customer to conserve space while ensuring top-tier energy performance.
This tailored approach helps commercial clients maximize energy output while efficiently utilizing their available space, optimizing both performance and functionality.
Customer-First Policy: “Customer satisfaction drives our success” is our guiding philosophy. We believe in focusing on the number of units generated in kWh, not just the kilowatts (kW), ensuring that our customers get the maximum value and efficiency from their investments.

Prime Insights: What challenges have you faced in the Indian solar energy sector, and how have you overcome them?

In the Indian solar energy sector, we face challenges in shifting consumer perceptions and overcoming cost concerns.
Shifting Perceptions to Investment: Many customers view solar as a high upfront cost rather than a long-term investment. They often focus on the initial purchase cost, which may show only a 5% difference, but fail to consider the substantial income over 25 years with high-generation panels. This makes solar energy a profitable choice in the long run.
Cost Sensitivity: While the initial capital investment can be a barrier for many customers, we help them recognize that the long-term savings in operational costs far outweigh the upfront expenditure. By investing in our solutions, customers can make a financially sound decision, benefiting from significant cost savings over the lifetime of the system.

Prime Insights: What are your strategies for maintaining your position as a trusted solar panel manufacturer in India?

To maintain our position as a trusted solar panel manufacturer in India, we focus on:
Customer-Centric Approach: We prioritize our customers by ensuring they receive the latest, most advanced products at competitive prices.
Innovation and Patience in Product Development: We are committed to ensuring that our products are built to last. For example, we waited for over a year to incorporate Non-Destructive Cutting (NDC) technology, which ensures that cells are not damaged during the cutting process.
Focus on Quality and Longevity: We never rush products to market; we ensure they meet long-term performance standards before release, building customer trust and confidence.

Prime Insights: How does your company contribute to the Indian government’s renewable energy goals and initiatives?

Our company actively contributes to the Indian government’s renewable energy goals and initiatives in several ways:
High Output Modules: We manufacture 3.1GW of solar modules, significantly contributing to India’s target of 500GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Large EPC Contributions: As a major EPC player, we contribute to the installation of solar systems across India, supporting the country’s transition to cleaner energy.
KUSUM Scheme: As an official vendor under the KUSUM Component B Scheme, helping to provide solar pumps to farmers.
PM Surya Ghar- Muft Bijli Yojana: Through our solar rooftop solutions, we contribute to the government’s initiative to provide free electricity to households, promoting widespread adoption of solar energy.
In addition to these initiatives, we offer over 10 product applications that directly align with the Prime Minister’s vision and renewable energy targets.

Prime Insights: What steps are you taking to expand your market reach domestically and internationally?

Expanding Domestic Network: We are continually growing our network of dealers across India. We actively acquire new partners by participating in industry events, such as expos and dealer meets, to build relationships and expand our presence.
Participation in Domestic Expos: Since 2012, we have been participating in the Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo and other prominent events, where we showcase our products and solutions to a larger audience, reinforcing our commitment to the renewable energy sector.
International Expansion: Since 2018, we have been actively participating in international expos, including RE+ (formerly known as Solar Power International), Intersolar Expo in Munich, Germany, Big 5 in Dubai, and numerous expos across Africa. These events have helped us enhance our global presence, build valuable connections, and engage with potential international clients and partners.

Prime Insights: How do you support your customers with after-sales services, maintenance, and technical assistance?

We design and install systems that require minimal after-sales services and maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
Dedicated Service Team: We have a dedicated service team available to provide prompt support and assistance whenever needed.
Readily Available Spare Parts: To ensure minimal downtime and uninterrupted operations, we keep a stock of spare parts at our factory for immediate servicing. Since we manufacture all the components in-house, we can quickly provide the necessary spare parts, eliminating any delays or sourcing challenges.
During the installation process, we provide comprehensive training to our customers, ensuring they understand how to operate and maintain the system effectively.