**Executive Summary**
On 14 May 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicated Central Electronics Limited’s (CEL) 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line to the nation, a project completed in less than one year following the April 2025 RFP. This milestone supports India's target of net-zero emissions by 2070 and the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision through indigenous innovation and public-private partnerships. The event also highlighted technology transfers between CSIR laboratories and CEL for advanced meteorological and defense systems.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Clean Energy and Net-Zero Targets**
* Dedication of the 200 MW manufacturing line to bolster India’s non-fossil energy capabilities, including solar, wind, nuclear, and ocean-based systems.
* Recognition of renewable energy as a primary driver for achieving the national 2070 net-zero emissions goal.
* Implementation of an integrated approach toward sustainable development and clean energy expansion.
* **Institutional Revival of CEL**
* Transformation of CEL from a candidate for disinvestment into a profit-making, revenue-generating "Mini Ratna" enterprise.
* Successful project execution timeline: RFP floated on 24 April 2025, bidder selection within one month, and operationalization in under one year.
* Historical milestone acknowledgment: CEL manufactured India’s first solar cell in 1977 and established the first solar plant in 1979.
* **Technological Innovation and Commercialization**
* Technology transfer from CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories to CEL for the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and the indigenous Drishti Transmissometer System.
* Strategic expansion of CEL into future-oriented sectors: vertical axis wind turbines, hybrid renewable systems, data centers, and advanced defense electronics (electronic warfare and small weapon systems).
* Emphasis on moving laboratory-developed technologies toward commercialization through industry partnerships.
* **Strategic Policy Reforms**
* Opening of strategic sectors, including space and nuclear energy, to increased private sector participation.
* Advancement of plans involving small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central Electronics Limited (CEL)**
**Impact**
The organization has achieved "Mini Ratna" status and renewed national relevance, transitioning from potential disinvestment to a diversified manufacturer of solar and defense technologies.
**Action Required**
Maintain operational discipline and lead the manufacturing of newly transferred technologies such as AWOS and indigenous defense electronics.
**CSIR and National Laboratories**
**Impact**
Increased opportunity to see scientific excellence converted into national development through formal technology transfer initiatives.
**Action Required**
Must increasingly collaborate with industry partners to facilitate the commercialization and public use of laboratory-developed technologies.
**Private Sector and Industry Partners**
**Impact**
Gains access to previously restricted strategic sectors like space and nuclear energy through new government policy reforms and public-private partnerships.
**Action Required**
Engage in bidding processes and collaborative innovation to support the expansion of India’s clean energy and strategic technology ecosystems.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Electronics Limited (CEL): A Mini Ratna public sector enterprise that established a 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line to enhance indigenous manufacturing in the clean energy sector.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary ministry overseeing the development of strategic technology sectors and the operationalization of new renewable energy facilities.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The national vision and initiative aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 through technological and industrial advancement.
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR): India's premier R&D organization involved in technology transfer collaborations with CEL for systems like the Drishti Transmissometer and AWOS.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Union Minister Jitendra Singh dedicates 200 MW
Solar Module Manufacturing Line of Central
Electronics Limited to the Nation
Dr. Jitendra Singh Says renewable energy and clean energy
to play a major role in achieving India net-zero by 2070 target
set by PM Modi
Dedication of CEL’s 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing
Line marks another step towards Viksit Bharat 2047: Dr
Jitendra Singh
India’s clean energy and strategic technology sectors are
entering a transformative phase driven by public-private
partnership and indigenous innovation: Dr. Jitendra Singh
India’s strategic technology sectors opening up at
unprecedented scale under PM Modi’s leadership: Dr
Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of
State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh
today dedicated the 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line of Central Electronics Limited (CEL) to
the nation and said renewable energy and clean energy are set to play a major role in India’s growth
trajectory under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said PM Shri Narendra Modi has set a national target of achieving net-zero emissions
by 2070 and India is rapidly expanding its capabilities across multiple non-fossil energy domains
including solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy and ocean-based energy systems.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Minister said each renewable energy source has its own
utility and importance, and India is moving ahead with an integrated approach towards clean energy
expansion and sustainable development.
Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, CMD, CEL, Shri Chetan Jain, senior
scientists, directors of CSIR laboratories, officers of CEL and distinguished guests were present on the
occasion. The event also witnessed important technology collaboration initiatives between CSIR
laboratories and CEL in areas linked to renewable energy and indigenous systems development.Dr. Jitendra Singh described the operationalisation of the 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line as a
major milestone for India’s clean energy ecosystem and said the facility reflects the country’s growing
confidence in indigenous manufacturing and renewable energy expansion.
Recalling CEL’s historic contribution to India’s renewable energy journey, the Minister said India’s first
solar cell was manufactured by CEL in 1977 and the country’s first solar plant was also established by the
organisation in 1979. He remarked that despite such pioneering achievements, CEL’s contribution did not
receive the recognition it deserved at that time, but the institution is now gaining renewed national
visibility and relevance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said CEL’s transformation from an institution once on the verge of disinvestment into a
profit-making, revenue-generating Mini Ratna enterprise is a remarkable example of institutional revival.
He said the turnaround reflects determined leadership, policy support, operational discipline and the
collective efforts of scientists, engineers and employees associated with the organisation.
The Minister appreciated the speed with which the new manufacturing line was established. He noted that
the Request for Proposal for the project was floated on 24 April 2025, the successful bidder was selected
within one month and the manufacturing facility became operational in less than a year.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said CEL is now expanding into future-oriented sectors including vertical axis wind
turbines, hybrid renewable systems, data centres, advanced defence electronics, electronic warfare and
small weapon systems, reflecting India’s growing technological confidence and strategic preparedness.
Referring to the Government’s policy reforms in strategic sectors, the Minister said India has opened up
sectors like space and nuclear energy to greater private participation and is moving ahead with ambitious
plans involving advanced nuclear technologies and small modular reactors.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also welcomed the technology transfer initiatives involving CSIR-National Aerospace
Laboratories and CEL for the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and the new-generation
Drishti Transmissometer System. He said technologies developed in national laboratories must
increasingly move towards commercialization and public use through industry partnerships.
The Minister expressed satisfaction that the new-generation Drishti Transmissometer System has now
become fully indigenous and said indigenous technologies strengthen national confidence, manufacturing
capability and strategic self-reliance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the dedication of the 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line marks another
important step towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and reflects India’s growing capability to convert scientific
excellence into national development.*****
NKR/AK
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