StarlinePS to Invest $1.6 Billion in Celloraa’s 1.2 GW Solar Cell Facility
The DCR-compliant solar cell facility will be set up in Surat
July 3, 2026
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StarlinePS Enterprises has announced it will invest ₹1.6 billion (~$17 million) in Celloraa Energy to set up a 1.2 GW Domestic Content Requirement (DCR)-compliant N-Type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility in Surat, Gujarat.
Originally focused on the diamond and jewelry business, StarlinePS announced its intention to expand into renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and related project development and infrastructure services in 2025.
India’s cumulative cell capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) stood at roughly 30 GW by May 2026. The country added 2,829 MW of solar cell capacity since the April update.
India added nearly 119 GW of solar module and over 9 GW of solar cell capacity in 2025, according to Mercom India’s State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2026 report. The manufacturing expansion was driven by demand from India’s large utility-scale solar project pipeline, residential rooftop targets, the PM Surya Ghar program, and ALMM List-II domestic cell mandate.
India’s solar cell manufacturing is expanding but still trails module capacity due to high capital costs, technological complexity, and import dependence. Policy support through production-linked incentive, DCR mandates, and ALMM is driving growth and backward integration, but domestic output remains below demand. Rapid technology shifts increase investment risks, requiring advanced equipment and frequent upgrades. New integrated facilities are expected to gradually narrow the gap.
The ALMM mandate for solar cells came into force in June 2026. All solar projects must now deploy modules using DCR-compliant cells. Through this mandate, the government aims to create a self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem. From June 2028, ALMM-III for ingots and wafers will also become effective.
MNRE recently allowed provisional commissioning of utility, captive, and commercial and industrial solar power projects installed before June 1, 2026, but not commissioned before that date due to reasons beyond their control.
