India’s clean energy transition is creating a new generation of industrial enterprises that combine manufacturing excellence with technological innovation. Among the companies contributing to this transformation is Bhubaneswar-based Group Surya, a diversified renewable energy and infrastructure company that has steadily expanded from a regional solar business into a multi-sector enterprise with interests spanning solar manufacturing, EPC projects, water management, green hydrogen, electronics, electric mobility, and emerging technologies.
At the heart of this journey is Kamlesh Kumar Singh, Founder and Group Director, whose entrepreneurial vision has guided the company from modest beginnings to becoming one of Odisha’s prominent renewable energy players.
From a Solar Venture to a Diversified Enterprise
What began as Surya Solar has today evolved into the larger Group Surya ecosystem, comprising Surya International Enterprise and several allied ventures. Established in 2012, the group has consistently expanded its portfolio while remaining committed to clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Today, Group Surya operates across multiple verticals, including solar photovoltaic modules, rooftop solar solutions, EPC services, batteries, inverters, water treatment systems, pipelines, EV charging infrastructure, and fintech through its MoneyMela platform. With a workforce of more than 500 professionals, the company has grown beyond Odisha while continuing to strengthen its manufacturing base within the state.
The organisation is also certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, reflecting its emphasis on quality management and environmental responsibility.
Manufacturing with National Ambition
One of the company’s most significant milestones has been the commissioning of its 500 MW fully automated solar module manufacturing facility in Bhubaneswar. Built around advanced G12R module technology, the plant has been designed with scalability in mind, with plans to expand capacity to 1 GW in the near future.
The manufacturing facility incorporates highly automated production lines and AI-based quality inspection systems, producing modules ranging from 450 W to 735 W for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale applications.
For Odisha, the plant represents more than another manufacturing unit. It positions the state as an emerging destination for advanced renewable energy manufacturing while supporting India’s broader ambition of strengthening domestic solar production under initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Seeing Opportunity Before the Market Did
Kamlesh Kumar Singh’s entrepreneurial journey was driven less by market hype and more by careful observation.
While evaluating different industries years ago, he recognised that renewable energy had the potential to become one of India’s defining sectors. Extensive research convinced him that clean energy would eventually scale nationally, making it an industry worth investing in for the long term.
“As we started working, the results kept improving. Every day we found opportunities to do something better. Gradually people joined us, and the organisation kept growing,” he reflects.
That long-term approach enabled Group Surya to diversify steadily instead of pursuing rapid but unsustainable expansion.
Building Businesses Around Sustainability
The group’s business model extends well beyond manufacturing solar panels. It integrates manufacturing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), water infrastructure, renewable energy solutions, power electronics, and sustainable utility products into a single ecosystem.
The company has executed rooftop solar installations, industrial power projects, water treatment systems, and renewable infrastructure across multiple sectors. This integrated approach allows Group Surya to participate across the value chain—from manufacturing equipment to executing complete energy solutions.
Its work also supports broader developmental objectives, including rural electrification, clean drinking water, energy accessibility, and livelihood creation.
The Biggest Challenge Isn’t Capital—It’s Leadership
Despite operating in one of India’s fastest-growing sectors, Kamlesh Kumar Singh believes the greatest challenge isn’t technology or even finance.
“Capital will always be a challenge for every growing business. But the real challenge today is attracting capable leaders who are willing to build the organisation with you.”
Managing hundreds of professionals across multiple businesses requires more than operational efficiency—it requires a shared vision. According to Singh, building leadership capacity remains the most critical factor for sustainable growth.
Why Renewable Energy Is Non-Negotiable
For Singh, India’s transition towards renewable energy is not merely an environmental issue—it is an economic and strategic necessity.
He believes the national conversation should no longer focus on whether India should pursue cleaner energy, but rather on how quickly and efficiently the transition can happen.
Countries that depend heavily on imported fossil fuels have a compelling reason to accelerate renewable adoption. Solar power, biofuels, electric mobility, and green hydrogen strengthen energy security while creating domestic employment, manufacturing opportunities, and technological capabilities.
He also describes renewable energy as fundamentally democratic because it enables individuals, industries, and communities to generate and consume their own power rather than depending entirely on centralised energy systems.
Learning from Global Manufacturing
The dramatic reduction in solar energy costs over the past decade demonstrates the impact of technological innovation and manufacturing scale.
Automation, improved manufacturing processes, and global production efficiencies have significantly reduced solar module prices, making renewable energy increasingly affordable and commercially viable.
For Indian manufacturers, the lesson is straightforward: competitiveness will increasingly depend on automation, scale, and continuous innovation.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Technologies
Group Surya’s future roadmap extends beyond conventional solar solutions.
The company has already completed a green hydrogen project, while additional hydrogen initiatives are currently under development. It is also pursuing opportunities in green ammonia, advanced power electronics, AI-enabled operations, and electric mobility infrastructure.
Plans are underway to establish electronics manufacturing capabilities for products such as:
- Grid-connected solar inverters
- Hybrid inverters
- EV chargers
- Advanced power electronics
- Smart energy management systems
Artificial Intelligence is already being deployed internally to automate workflows, improve operational efficiency, and optimise project execution.
Built on Curiosity and Continuous Learning
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Kamlesh Kumar Singh spent nearly seventeen years in the corporate sector, working across engineering and manufacturing organisations.
Rather than limiting himself to his assigned responsibilities, he developed a habit of studying factories, production systems, machinery, project reports, and industrial processes whenever opportunities arose. This curiosity gradually built the technical and commercial understanding that later became invaluable in entrepreneurship.
His transition from employee to entrepreneur was therefore not a sudden leap, but the outcome of years of learning and observation.
Entrepreneurship Rooted in Responsibility
Like many first-generation entrepreneurs, Singh’s journey involved uncertainty, limited financial resources, and incremental growth.
The business expanded step by step through disciplined execution, careful financial management, and a willingness to learn from every challenge. Rather than chasing rapid expansion, the early years were focused on building a sustainable foundation capable of supporting long-term growth.
That philosophy continues to shape Group Surya’s expansion strategy today.
The Road Ahead
The company’s immediate priority is establishing a robust national distribution network capable of serving customers across India. Alongside manufacturing expansion, strengthening dealer networks, distributors, retailers, and channel partners remains central to its growth strategy.
As India’s renewable energy sector enters its next phase—driven by domestic manufacturing, green hydrogen, energy storage, electric mobility, and AI-enabled infrastructure—Group Surya is positioning itself to participate across multiple segments of the value chain.
For Kamlesh Kumar Singh, success has never been defined solely by building a larger company. It has been about creating an organisation that contributes to India’s industrial capability while supporting the country’s transition toward cleaner, more self-reliant energy systems.
Group Surya’s journey reflects the evolution of India’s renewable energy sector itself—from a niche industry into a strategic pillar of economic growth. As Odisha strengthens its position in clean energy manufacturing, enterprises like Group Surya demonstrate how regional entrepreneurship can play a meaningful role in shaping the nation’s sustainable future.