Surat Firm Turns Building Wall Into a Vertical Solar Power Plant

Surat: Angadia Enterprises has installed a 25-kilowatt (kW) vertical solar plant at Katargam GIDC in Surat, using 42 solar panels mounted on the south-facing wall of its building. The project, which cost approximately ₹12 lakh to ₹12.5 lakh, is expected to generate around 18,000 units of electricity annually, according to the company.

The installation offers an alternative to conventional rooftop solar systems, particularly for industrial units with limited roof space. The company has described the approach as “3D Solar”, which uses both horizontal and vertical surfaces to generate solar power.

According to the company, the wall-mounted panels may also reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching the building’s exterior, potentially helping lower indoor temperatures.

The system uses a specialised optimiser to minimise the impact of shading on individual panels and limit reductions in overall power generation when some panels receive less sunlight.

Ruzal Pareshbhai Angadia, owner of Angadia Enterprises, said vertical walls could provide additional space for solar power generation where rooftops are insufficient. The company plans to monitor the plant’s performance over the next six to eight months before considering similar installations at other properties.

Plant Expected to Generate 18,000 Units Annually

The company estimates that the plant will generate around 18,000 units of electricity annually, averaging approximately 50 units a day or 1,500 units a month. Actual generation will depend on weather conditions, sunlight availability, panel orientation and shading.

EV Charging Station Set Up Below Panels

In collaboration with Tata Power, the company has also installed an electric vehicle (EV) charging station beneath the solar panels. According to the company, the facility has seven connectors and is intended to serve both public and private users. It can accommodate different vehicle types, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers.

Vertical Solar Installations in India

Vertical solar installations have also been adopted elsewhere in India. In 2017, Tata Power Solar and Dell India collaborated on a 120-kW vertical solar plant in Bengaluru. In 2025, the Delhi Metro installed a vertical bifacial solar plant on the viaduct at Okhla Vihar station.

The Surat project adds to the range of solar solutions being explored for industrial and urban locations where rooftop space is limited. DeshGujarat