Radio Brisvaani
Spotlight on India-US ties, green manufacturing and solar innovations
Chennai, April 26 ( Australia India News Newsdesk)
The 2025 edition of RenewX, South India’s premier renewable energy sourcing fair, concluded on a high note after three days of dynamic discussions, technological showcases, and global collaborations at the Chennai Trade Centre from April 23–25, 2025. Organized by Informa Markets, the event brought together over 150 energy leaders, innovators, policymakers, and international experts to envision a sustainable future for the region.
Day 1 – April 23: India-USA Solar Ties, Self-Reliance & South India’s Industrial Might
The opening day kicked off under the theme “Driving Renewable Energy Potential, Celebrating South India’s Legacy of Excellence,” which highlighted the region’s leadership in clean energy transitions.
In the first session, “India-USA Solar Collaboration,” experts examined how bilateral cooperation between the two countries could reshape the global renewable energy landscape. Discussions focused on the evolving geopolitical dynamics influencing energy security, the challenges and opportunities presented by supply chain disruptions, and the importance of knowledge sharing and technology transfer. This session was moderated by Nisha Menezes from PwC India and featured panelists from Premier Energies, First Solar, Vikram Solar, Frost & Sullivan, and BloombergNEF.
The second session, “Advancing Green Manufacturing in Solar – The Path to Self-Reliance,” explored India’s ambitious goal to reduce its dependence on imported solar components—currently at 80 percent—by promoting local manufacturing through policy reforms and industrial investment. Ajay Kumar Saxena of TERI led the panel, which included voices from SWELECT Energy, Luminous Power, Invest India, the Global Solar Council, and others.
A third session focused on Tamil Nadu’s potential to emerge as a major solar manufacturing hub, titled “Unlocking South India’s Potential.” The discussion, moderated by Dr. Anuvrat Joshi of H Nu Energy, emphasized infrastructure readiness and policy incentives available in the region.
The day concluded with a vibrant “Tech Talk” session, where Saswat Das from Sunmeister showcased smart hybrid systems; Sampath Kumar of Feston presented advancements in inverter technology; and Manish Asija of enPossibilities discussed modular solar solutions.
Day 2 – April 24: Asset Management, Consumer Benefits & Solar Farm Development
The second day began with a session on “Best Practices for Asset Management,” focusing on ways to improve solar plant performance through advanced monitoring systems, predictive maintenance, and operational benchmarking. Dr. Raguram Arjunan from SEPA led the session, which drew participation from operations experts and data analysts across the solar industry.
Following this, the session “Maximizing Savings: Financial Benefits of Solar” offered insights into how households and industries can benefit economically from solar power. Led by Prateek Aggarwal from CEEW, the panel included experts from Wattsun, INA Solar, Solex Energy, Rayzon, and Kosol Energie, who shared guidance on net metering policies, return on investment, and government-backed incentives.
In the Tech Talk series, Mohammed Rinas from LAGNUVO outlined emerging market trends; Manu Gaurang from Mondragon Assembly explained the intricacies of PV module assembly lines; Pavan Kumar Challa of Sunrack detailed the evolution of mounting structures; and Pavan Mathur from First Solar spoke about advancements in thin-film technology.
Later, the session “IPP, Policymakers, and the Path Forward” explored the challenges and solutions around grid integration, land acquisition, and solar farm development. Moderated by Sehul Bhatt of Crisil, the panel brought together leaders from Radiance Renewables, Ayana Power, Vibrant Energy, and Enfinity Global.
The day concluded with a panel on “Powering the Future: Rise of Energy Storage Solutions,” which emphasized the growing importance of advanced battery systems and hybrid storage methods for balancing intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind.
Day 3 – April 25: Future Technologies, Women in Energy, and International Collaboration
The final day spotlighted innovation and inclusivity. The session “Innovating for the Next Decade” featured leading startups and research institutions showcasing next-gen solutions such as green hydrogen, perovskite solar cells, and artificial intelligence-based grid management. Speakers from IIT Madras, ReNew Power Labs, and CEEW outlined the strategic path to support homegrown innovation in renewable energy.
In “Women in Clean Energy: Leadership for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” a panel of industry leaders discussed the importance of gender diversity in the clean energy sector. Moderated by Dr. Anitha Iyer, the session featured participants from Tata Power Solar, Shell India, and UNDP, who emphasized mentorship, leadership opportunities, and policy measures to improve inclusion.
The day also featured an “International Dialogue on Renewable Trade and Technology Exchange,” with speakers representing GIZ (Germany), the Australia-India Energy Partnership, and the US-India Strategic Energy Forum. Key issues discussed included enhancing global solar value chains, responding to carbon border adjustment taxes, and incentivizing cross-border energy cooperation.
The closing ceremony saw Informa Markets reiterate RenewX’s role as a transformative platform connecting regional and international stakeholders for a cleaner energy future.
RenewX 2025 showcased how India, and particularly South India, is leading the clean energy charge through global collaboration, technology leadership, and inclusive growth. The discussions over three days emphasized strengthening India-USA partnerships, advancing self-reliance in manufacturing, promoting solar adoption, and supporting women and young innovators in the field.
Commenting on the significance of the event, Dr. Ram Mohan, Editor, Australia India News, who is also the Director of Australia Energy Solution PTY LTD said, “I had the privilege of moderating an insightful session on “Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): in the Renewable Energy India Expo – RenewX 2025 at Chennai Trade Centre. The discussions highlighted India’s ambitious BESS tenders and their role in grid stability, the challenges – from high costs to recycling – and innovative solutions, and the road ahead related to policy push, hybrid projects, and cutting-edge technology.”
The event’s growing global relevance was underlined by participation from ASEAN, Europe, and Africa, with expectations already building for a more expansive edition in 2026—cementing Chennai’s position as a rising epicenter of the renewable energy revolution.
