India’s ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 hinges on one critical, often-overlooked technology: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). While solar panels generate clean energy, it is the BESS that provides the intelligence and stability required to bridge the gap between supply and demand, ensuring that clean power is available not just when the sun shines, but 24 hours a day.

For Servotech, with our deep expertise in advanced power electronics and conversion, BESS represents a foundational growth area. We are positioned to supply the core technology, the power brains, that make these systems reliable, efficient, and grid-compliant.

What is BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems)?

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is an advanced technology setup that stores electrical energy in rechargeable batteries and releases it whenever power is required. Think of it as a large, intelligent backup power bank that works on a small or massive scale—whether for homes, industries, or the entire power grid.

BESS plays a key role in modern energy infrastructure by ensuring that electricity is available even when production fluctuates, especially with renewable sources like solar and wind.

How BESS Works

A typical Battery Energy Storage System includes:

1. Battery Modules

These are rechargeable cells—often lithium-ion—that store electrical energy.

2. Battery Management System (BMS)

Monitors the health, temperature, and safety of the batteries.

3. Power Conversion System (PCS)

Converts electricity from AC to DC while charging, and DC to AC while discharging.

4. Energy Management System (EMS)

This is the brain of the system, controlling when to store and when to deliver power.

5. Cooling & Safety Systems

Keep the batteries at optimal temperatures and prevent thermal issues.

Applications of BESS

• Grid Stabilization – Maintains supply-demand balance.
• Solar + Storage – Stores daytime solar energy for nighttime use.
• EV Charging Stations – Reduce peak load and ensure fast charging availability.
• Backup Power – Ensures uninterrupted power for homes, industries, hospitals, and data centers.
• Microgrids – Support remote areas with independent, reliable power systems.

Why Storage is Non-Negotiable: The Problem of Intermittency

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are inherently intermittent; they produce power only when the weather permits. This introduces significant volatility into the national grid. For instance, the demand for electricity typically peaks in the early evening (the ‘peak hours’), precisely when solar generation drops to zero (the ‘duck curve’ phenomenon).

Without massive, scalable storage solutions, India cannot integrate gigawatts of renewable energy without risking grid instability, fluctuations, and potential blackouts.

BESS solves this fundamental challenge by performing two critical functions:

1. Time-Shift Energy: During midday, when solar generation is at its maximum and electricity is cheap, BESS stores the surplus energy. It then discharges this stored power during peak evening demand, effectively stabilizing the grid and eliminating the need for polluting ‘peaker plants’ (typically fossil fuel-based).
2. Grid Ancillary Services: BESS can respond within milliseconds to frequency fluctuations, voltage drops, or sudden changes in load, providing instant reactive power and frequency regulation, which is essential for grid health.

The Core Technology: The Power Conversion System (PCS)

A BESS installation is far more complex than just linking batteries together. The crucial, high-tech component that governs the entire operation is the Power Conversion System (PCS).

The PCS is the bi-directional inverter that acts as the intelligent interface between the DC battery bank and the AC power grid. It is the brain that determines when to charge, when to discharge, and how to maintain perfect synchronization with the grid’s phase and frequency.

Servotech’s strategic focus lies directly in mastering and manufacturing these critical components:

• Bidirectional Inversion: The PCS must efficiently convert AC grid power to DC for charging the battery, and DC battery power back to high-quality AC power for grid injection. Our expertise ensures minimal conversion losses and high operational efficiency.
• Modular Architecture: We design our PCS solutions to be modular and scalable, ranging from small commercial units to large multi-megawatt utility-scale installations, allowing for flexible deployment across various applications.
• Grid Compliance and Safety: Our systems adhere to stringent national and international grid codes, including features for islanding detection and fault management, which are paramount for ensuring operator safety and asset protection.

Diverse Applications Driving Demand

The demand for BESS is accelerating across multiple sectors, creating a robust, multi-pronged market opportunity:

Application Sector	BESS Function	Servotech Relevance
Utility Scale (100 MW+)	Frequency Regulation, Peak Shaving, Renewable Integration	Supply of Megawatt-scale, grid-compliant PCS solutions.
Commercial & Industrial (C&I)	Demand Charge Reduction, Power Backup, Diesel Generator Replacement	Customized, high-power C&I BESS integrated with local solar systems.
EV Charging Stations	Infrastructure Stabilization, High-Power Boost	Using BESS to absorb high-draw spikes from DC fast chargers, reducing peak load on the local utility transformer.
Rural Mini-Grids	Off-Grid Power Supply, Community Electrification	Providing reliable, decentralized storage solutions for remote or isolated grids.

The integration of BESS into EV charging is particularly transformative. Fast chargers draw massive, sudden amounts of power, which can strain local infrastructure. A dedicated BESS unit at a Servotech EV charging hub can buffer this demand, charging slowly from the grid over several hours, and then releasing power instantly to vehicles, thus ensuring a stable, fast charging experience without costly grid upgrades.

Policy Tailwinds and Market Growth

The Indian government has recognized BESS as a critical infrastructure component, offering policy support to kickstart the market:

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF): The government has approved a VGF scheme to facilitate the deployment of 4,000 MWh of BESS capacity by 2030, specifically targeting projects that serve the needs of the transmission utility. This guarantees investment viability in early-stage projects.
• Mandatory Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) with Storage Component: State utilities are now mandated to purchase a minimum percentage of power from renewable sources with an integrated storage component, ensuring guaranteed long-term contracts for BESS operators.

These policies, coupled with rapidly falling lithium-ion battery costs, position BESS for explosive growth.

Servotech’s Role as a Green Energy Leader

Servotech is not just a player; we are a strategic enabler in the BESS ecosystem. Our manufacturing strength and R&D focus are geared toward producing the most complex, value-added components:

• Local Manufacturing: We are leveraging the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes to enhance the domestic content and reliability of our PCS and BESS components, supporting the nation’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
• Modular & Scalable Design: Our BESS solutions are designed for rapid deployment and easy integration into existing infrastructure, a necessity for a country with varied grid requirements.
• Integrated EV-BESS Solutions: We are uniquely placed to offer integrated battery charging and battery storage solutions, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability at high-power EV charging locations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, BESS is the technology that completes the energy puzzle, converting intermittent sunlight and wind into reliable, dispatchable power. Servotech is dedicated to being the power electronics pioneer that supplies the intelligence and reliability required to build this resilient, 24/7 clean energy grid.

Q1 – Can you provide an overview of your company’s mission and key principles in delivering solar panel solutions, and how do these align with the broader goals of promoting renewable energy?

Servotech Power Systems Ltd. is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solar panel solutions that embody its mission of sustainability and innovation. With a firm commitment to quality, affordability, and customer satisfaction, Servotech’s approach to solar energy is driven by a vision of creating a greener and more sustainable future for India. By prioritizing sustainability in its choice of materials and manufacturing processes, Servotech ensures that its solar panel solutions meet high standards of performance and reliability while minimizing environmental impact. Our products play a crucial role in India’s transition to renewable energy sources, contributing to the government’s initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana and solarization projects in Varanasi. Through our commitment to excellence and accessibility, we empower individuals, businesses, and communities across the country to benefit from clean and renewable solar energy, paving the way toward a brighter and more sustainable future for India.

Q2 – Given the dynamic nature of the solar industry, how does your company stay abreast of the latest advancements in solar panel technologies, and how are these innovations integrated into your product offerings?

Currently, we are manufacturing Mono PERC solar panels and Mono Bifacial panels. The Mono Bifacial panels offer a significant advantage in terms of generation, with an estimated increase of 22-30% compared to Mono PERC panels. Looking ahead, market trends suggest that solar panels with capacities ranging from 700 to 1000 watts will become prevalent in the near future, and we are actively working on incorporating this technology into our product portfolio. Our commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of advancements in solar technology drives our efforts to provide cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the market.

Q3- What sets your solar panel solutions apart from competitors in terms of efficiency, durability, and overall performance, and how do you ensure the highest quality for your products?

To ensure top-notch quality standards, we have embarked on the journey of creating in-house PLC modules, a move aimed at enhancing the quality of our solar products. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology and the latest equipment, we meticulously inspect and validate each component and assembly stage to uphold the highest quality benchmarks. Our relentless pursuit of excellence extends to our solar panels, boasting an impressive efficiency rating of 22%. Moreover, our panels are engineered for longevity, with a lifespan spanning an impressive 30-35 years, ensuring enduring performance and reliability. As we continue to innovate and introduce new products, we subject them to rigorous testing protocols. Each product undergoes comprehensive testing regimes to evaluate its performance, durability, and adherence to stringent quality standards. These exhaustive testing procedures culminate in the creation of detailed testing reports, providing invaluable insights into the performance and reliability of our products.

Q4- Can you share success stories or examples of projects where your solar panel solutions have made a significant impact on reducing carbon footprints, promoting sustainability, or providing energy independence?

We have spearheaded numerous solar initiatives across various regions, showcasing our commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. In collaboration with IOCL in Haldia, West Bengal, we successfully installed a solar system, contributing to the region’s transition towards renewable energy. Additionally, we have also collaborated with HPCL to solarize the plant of HPCL. We have installed a smart grid system in Delhi which aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes annually. We have also collaborated with NSEFI to install a solar-powered EV Charging Carport. Through partnerships with government entities like UPNEDA, we have played a pivotal role in solarizing government offices, schools, and buildings, facilitating the adoption of clean energy practices. In Tamil Nadu, our collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Authority resulted in the implementation of solar home lighting systems, benefiting over 10,000 households across the state. Additionally, our efforts extended to Himachal Pradesh, where, in partnership with Him Urja, we successfully solarized 2,800+ homes, illuminating communities with sustainable and eco-friendly lighting solutions. These initiatives underscore our unwavering dedication to driving positive environmental impact and fostering the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies.

Q5- In light of the increasing demand for sustainable practices, how does your company incorporate environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes in the production of solar panels?

As a prominent solar panel manufacturer, we prioritize sustainability by incorporating recycled materials and employing energy-efficient manufacturing processes. While there may be some environmental impact associated with solar panel production, the long-term benefits of solar energy greatly outweigh any potential negative effects. To further minimize environmental impact, we are implementing data-driven strategies aimed at extending product lifespans, optimizing resource use, and ensuring responsible disposal and recycling practices. We invest in research and development to enhance the longevity of our solar panels, and sophisticated recycling methods enable us to recover vital components like silicon. Additionally, governments and industry stakeholders are increasingly adopting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks to ensure accountability throughout the product lifecycle. Standardized recycling processes, consumer awareness initiatives, and regulatory frameworks play crucial roles in promoting sustainable practices across the solar industry.

The Interview is originally published in ACE Update Magazine’s March issue
Read Full Interview: https://aceupdate.com/enlightening-the-future-of-india-with-sustainable-solar-solutions/