Spotlight on Karthik Goparaju, Sales Director MENA - Suzhou JSolar

About Karthik:

I bring over 14 years of extensive experience in tendering, engineering, and sales within the renewable energy sector, with a focus on the Middle East, India, and African markets. Throughout my career, I have held significant roles at renowned organizations such as JSolar, Sunpure, Larsen & Toubro, and Hero Future Energies. My expertise lies in strategic planning, market expansion, and driving business growth in dynamic global environments. I hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, which underpins my technical proficiency and strategic acumen.

Please describe your role at Suzhou JSolar as well as your industry expertise

As the Sales Director MENA at JSOLAR I oversee strategic planning and execution of sales and marketing across the Middle East, Africa, and India. My role focuses on expanding market presence, driving sales growth, launching new products, and engaging with key stakeholders. I lead a cross-functional team, emphasizing innovation and operational excellence. My industry expertise, honed at leading renewable energy firms, enables me to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the solar energy sector effectively.

What motivated Suzhou JSolar to invest in the MENA's solar industry?

Rich land & solar resources, the hospitable investment environment and the positive attitude towards the new energy industry shown by local government are the factors attract us to invest in MENA. Also, in recent years, we saw a great increase in MENA photovoltaic installed capacity, this also indicates the huge potential of local solar market.

Apart from searching for investment opportunities of local solar projects, JSOLAR is also setting up our own manufacturing facilities, especially in KSA & Brazil, in order to serve for our business in Middle East, Africa and Europe, and even worldwide.

Can you tell us about what sets you apart from other competitors?

JSolar was founded 12 years ago, and recently we registered in Jiangsu Securities Regulatory Bureau for counseling filing, intending to go public and issue stocks for the first time. We completed three rounds of financing in the past three years, our strategic shareholders include photovoltaic industry giants such as Canadian Solar, JA Solar, and prestigious financial institutes such as China Industrial Bank. Such partnerships will positively impact its business structure and research and development layout by turning customers into shareholders, as well as providing the company strong financial supports for its growth.

Currently, with over 6 GW of full-chain capacity, we are among the largest manufacturers of PV Tracker and Fixed Mounting systems globally. We have completed SBP, CPP, IEC, UL, and CE certifications for both our 1P and 2P Trackers. Additionally, we offer fixed mounting systems customized for various terrains. Our patented AI-integrated JLight+ algorithm, incorporated into our tracker solutions, enhances performance by 1.5% to 8%, depending on site conditions.

What's a recent milestone Suzhou JSolar has achieved that you would like to share with us?

We are currently establishing our own manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia and Brazil, with a combined capacity of over 10 GW. This expansion aims to meet local content requirements and provide top-tier tracking and mounting solutions with enhanced quality and faster delivery, ensuring our clients can meet their project milestones efficiently. 

Recently we registered in Jiangsu Securities Regulatory Bureau for counseling filing, intending to go public and issue stocks for the first time. We completed three rounds of financing in the past three years, our strategic shareholders include photovoltaic industry giants such as Canadian Solar, JA Solar, and prestigious financial institutes such as China Industrial Bank. Such partnerships will positively impact its business structure and research and development layout by turning customers into shareholders, as well as providing the company strong financial supports for its growth.

What are your expectations for the MENA region in terms of growth and new opportunities for Suzhou JSolar?

In the short term, we aim to enhance the visibility of the JSolar brand and our advanced Solar Tracker technology among clients in the MENA region. Our goal is to establish our Tracker & Mounting solutions as the preferred choice for leading developers and EPCs, ensuring the implementation of high-quality PV projects and driving mutual growth.

In the long term, we seek support from local governments to facilitate the establishment of JSolar’ s overseas industrial base. This strategic move will leverage our cutting-edge Solar Tracker technology to bring industrial assets and job opportunities to local communities, fostering economic growth and achieving a win-win situation for all involved.

How do you see the effects of the increasing adoption of solar energy on the MENA's economy in the coming years?

Although the rise of new energy may have a certain negative impact on the Middle East region, where traditional energy was critical to the local economy, but in the long-term new energy could promote local economy to conduct active transformation and find new opportunities.

The increasing adoption of solar energy in the MENA region, particularly following the momentum of COP28, is expected to have a profound impact on the region's economy in the coming years. COP28, held in the UAE, focused on accelerating climate action and financing, targeting $1.5 trillion per year for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The conference highlighted the need for ambitious targets to limit global warming and emphasized the vital role of renewable energy in achieving these goals.

Solar energy, pivotal in advancing energy security and climate action in MENA, is set to enhance quality of life and create new market opportunities, especially for youth and businesses. The private sector's role in decarbonizing economies and steering towards a sustainable future was underscored, with a call for supportive and transparent energy regulations to foster the adoption of clean, affordable energy solutions.

In summary, the increasing adoption of solar energy in MENA, boosted by the outcomes of COP28, promises a prosperous, resilient, and sustainable economic future for the region.

In the end, we would like to share some key numbers/milestones of JSolar, hope we can reach new heights in MENA in the future.

About Suzhou JSolar

 

Founded in 2012, JSolar specializes in advanced solar mounting systems, offering flexible solutions for diverse terrains. We design and manufacture high-quality trackers and fixed mounting systems that meet international standards, providing cost-effective, one-stop solar mounting services tailored to each project. With over 6GW of solar energy experience, our extensive knowledge ensures innovative and reliable technologies and solutions for our clients. 

As part of our expansion, we are entering the MENA region and will soon establish our own manufacturing facility in KSA, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable energy worldwide.