Waaree Solar Americas Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Waaree Energies Ltd., has achieved a significant milestone with the production of its first solar module at its manufacturing facility in Brookshire, Texas.
This development makes Waaree the first Indian company to establish a photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing facility in the United States, underscoring its commitment to expanding its international footprint and accelerating the global transition to clean energy. The trial production phase is currently underway, with plans to fully commission the Phase-1 manufacturing capacity of 1.6 GW in the first quarter of 2025, according to a statement from Waaree.
The inaugural event at the Brookshire facility on December 19, 2024, began with a traditional Pooja ceremony, attended by several dignitaries including Consul General of India in Houston, Manjunath Chennerappa, who was the Guest of Honor.
CG Chennerappa said, “I congratulate Waaree for commencing production at its Brookshire, Texas factory. The India-US Economic and Energy Partnership is thriving as both democracies are natural partners. Waaree, through its Brookshire facility, is playing a key role in strengthening this relationship.”
The Consul General also highlighted that the Energy Focus and business friendly environment in Texas enabled Waaree to also set up the greenfield production facility in record time after the announcement of investment.
Recalling his first meeting with President of Waaree Solar Americas, Sunil Rathi, and COO Gordon Brinser early this year when the project was in its initial stages, CG Chennerappa pointed out that he was “happy so see that the production facility was completed well before the planned timeframe marking the production of the first PV Module in the factory.”
“This is a proud moment for Waaree,” said President Rathi. Producing Waaree’s first module at the Brookshire, Texas factory reflects its decades of manufacturing expertise and dedication to supporting the global clean energy industry, he said noting “This milestone, achieved in less than a year, highlights our commitment to expanding our manufacturing footprint.”
“We are deeply grateful to our clients, employees, partners, suppliers, and Waller County officials who have supported this endeavor,” added Rathi. “This milestone marks the beginning of our ambitious plans for further expansion in the United States, reinforcing our dedication to building a resilient domestic supply chain, supporting energy security in the U.S., and strengthening the India-U.S. trade and energy partnership.”
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) also congratulated Waaree on its success. “We congratulate our member, Waaree Group, on producing their first PV solar module at the new Brookshire PV Module Manufacturing Plant in Texas,” underscoring that Waaree’s 1.5 GW capacity facility “represents a major stride in bolstering domestic solar production and strengthening the U.S.-India renewable energy partnership.”
USISPF credited Waaree’s leadership in “innovation, sustainability, and clean energy transitions,” towards enabling economic growth and generating employment opportunities.
The announcement of Waaree’s progress follows recognition at the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial in September 2024 in Washington, D.C. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, applauded Waaree’s investment during the event.
The U.S. Department of Energy in its statement noted both Granholm and Puri “Welcomed increased investment in each country’s clean energy markets, including a recent investment by Indian company Waaree in a 3GW state-of the-art solar module manufacturing facility in Texas” describing it as a key development in fostering clean energy collaboration between the two nations.
They also expressed satisfaction with public-private sector dialogues aimed at scaling clean energy technologies, reducing costs, and facilitating investment and commercial partnerships.
A Joint Fact Sheet: “The United States and India Continue to Expand Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” from the White House released on September 21, 2024, noted President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment in advancing clean energy initiatives.
“Leaders committed to enhance regular engagements to improve the momentum of collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy…” noted the Fact Sheet. “The Leaders recommitted to expand the manufacturing and deployment of clean energy, including finding opportunities to expand U.S.-India cooperation in solar, wind and nuclear energy and the development of small modular reactor technologies.”
As a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s largest solar module manufacturer, Waaree Energies Ltd., Waaree Solar Americas stationed in Brookshire is focused on offering “domestically manufactured high-efficiency PV modules to U.S. power producers.” This initiative is designed to mitigate trade risks, enhance supply chain reliability, and support the timely completion of solar PV projects.
