An Exclusive Interview with Khushboo Doshi, Managing Director of Rajoo Engineers Limited:
In a bold and strategic move, Rajoo Engineers Limited, a renowned leader in the plastics extrusion machinery sector, has ventured into the renewable energy arena with a strong focus on solar cell manufacturing. As India aims to achieve an ambitious 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with a significant share from solar, Rajoo Engineers has recognized the critical role it can play in this transformation. In an exclusive interview, Khushboo Doshi, Managing Director of Rajoo Engineers Limited, shares insights into the company’s entry into the solar sector, the innovative launch of LAMINA-E, and their alignment with India’s clean energy goals. She delves into the advanced features of LAMINA-E, its impact on the solar panel manufacturing industry, the company’s strategic plans to leverage Government initiatives, and their commitment to job creation and growth in the renewable energy sector.
- What drove Rajoo to enter the renewable energy sector, and how does it align with India’s solar goals?
Our entry into the renewable energy sector was driven by strategic foresight and a commitment to align with India’s ambitious clean energy goals. Building on Rajoo Engineers Ltd.’s legacy of over three decades of excellence and innovation in the plastics extrusion machinery sector, we identified a significant opportunity in solar cell manufacturing. India aims to achieve 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with over 60% from solar energy, and we recognized the critical role we could play in this transformation. Leveraging our forte in plastic extrusion technology, honed through years of industry leadership and numerous awards and recognitions, we focused on producing a system for production of encapsulant sheets for solar cells. By introducing LAMINA-E, India’s first mono & multi-layer EVA/POE sheet line, we are addressing a key component of the solar panels. This move not only reinforces Rajoo Engineers’ commitment to innovation but also supports the Government’s ‘Make-in-India’ initiative, emphasizing self-reliance in the solar sector and reducing dependence on imports, particularly from China. We are proud to actively contribute to India’s journey toward sustainable development and energy security, further cementing our position as a leader in the industry, and more specifically in plastic extrusion.
- How do you see LAMINA-E shaping the solar panel manufacturing industry?
LAMINA-E by Rajoo Engineers is set to revolutionize India’s solar panel manufacturing by addressing a critical need, both within the country and globally. It enhances manufacturers’ capabilities with unmatched flexibility and efficiency, offering an output range of 300 to 900 kg/hr and producing EVA/POE sheets with varying widths and thicknesses. This innovation will reduce reliance on imported machines and components, supporting the localization of the supply chain and aligning with the Government’s push for self-reliance. LAMINA-E’s advanced features, like a fully automatic die and gravimetric feeding system, improves the quality and longevity of solar panels, boosting the performance of solar installations nationwide. We believe it will also drive further innovation, helping manufacturers advance panel design and efficiency to meet global standards.
- What key advantages do the advanced features of LAMINA-E bring to solar cell production?
The advanced features of LAMINA-E ensure precise and consistent material input, crucial for producing high-quality EVA/POE encapsulant sheets. This accuracy minimizes material waste and ensures uniformity, resulting in more reliable solar cells.
LAMINA-E’s energy-efficient extruders further enhance its value. They reduce energy consumption during the manufacturing process, aligning with the renewable energy sector’s focus on sustainability. Additionally, it provides versatility, allowing manufacturers to experiment with different materials and develop innovative encapsulant formulations.
- How does Rajoo plan to capitalize on India’s $250 billion annual investment in clean energy?
Rajoo Engineers is strategically positioned to capitalize on India’s projected $250 billion annual investment in clean energy through a multi-faceted approach focusing on innovation, expansion, and partnerships. We are intensifying our R&D efforts to stay at the forefront of solar manufacturing technology, developing next-generation extrusion technologies to enhance solar panel component efficiency and quality. Additionally, we are expanding our production capacity to meet the growing demand for solar panels and components as India aims to commission 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Partnerships with solar panel manufacturers, polymer manufacturers and research institutions will play a crucial role in refining our products and developing comprehensive solutions for the solar industry. We are also exploring opportunities to diversify our product portfolio within the clean energy sector.
- How is Rajoo leveraging Government initiatives, especially the PLI scheme, to boost solar manufacturing?
Rajoo Engineers is actively leveraging Government initiatives, particularly the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, to enhance the solar cell manufacturing capabilities of processors. The PLI scheme offers financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of solar modules and cells. Although we do not directly manufacture solar cells or modules, our products are critical components in the solar panel manufacturing process. We are aligning our production capabilities to meet the increased demand expected from the PLI scheme and exploring partnerships with PLI beneficiaries.
- How will Rajoo contribute to job creation and growth in the renewable energy sector?
Rajoo Engineers is committed to job creation and growth in the renewable energy sector. Our expansion into machines for solar cell manufacturing will create new jobs within our organization, particularly in areas such as solar technology, materials science, and renewable energy systems. As we scale up our operations, we will create additional jobs across various functions, extending to our supply chain partners and service providers. We are also investing in training and skill development programs to ensure continuous upskilling in the renewable energy sector. By providing cutting-edge technology to solar panel manufacturers, we are indirectly supporting job creation in the broader solar industry, contributing to the growth of India’s solar manufacturing capabilities and reducing the country’s dependence on imports.
