The CZ (Czochralski) method is one of the popular processes through which pure silicon is converted into single-crystal ingots, which can then be sliced into silicon wafers used in chips, solar cells, sensors, and other applications. More than 90 per cent of semiconductor electronics in the world use wafers produced through the CZ method.
Speaking to businessline, Founder and CEO Rajasekar Elavarasan said that Raana Semiconductors’ first range of 12-inch CZ machines will be built for solar module manufacturers. “We are hoping to manufacture and supply a capacity of machines that can support cell production of roughly 10GW in the next three years,” he said.
The company is banking on the increasing vertical integration within India’s solar module manufacturing industry.
Multiple Indian solar module makers like Grew Solar, Vikram Solar and Swelect Energy are in the process of building ingot/wafer manufacturing capacities. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has also proposed to include solar ingots and wafers under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) from June 1, 2028, enforcing local sourcing of these components for module manufacturers.
Elavarasan said that the firm is currently in the process of securing an order for around 2 GWs of machine capacity from a major solar manufacturer in the country, which, if secured, could push topline to around ₹300 crore by FY28.
Rana Semiconductors is also working on setting up a 40,000 sq ft facility in Hosur for the manufacture of CZ machines. Elavarasan says Raana’s machines are about 70 per cent localised, with the firm expecting to incrementally improve the localisation level over the next few years.
Raana Semiconductors currently has over 40 CZ machines deployed that can produce 2-, 4-, and 6-inch ingots. These machines are mostly suited for research purposes and are deployed in defence, atomic and other national laboratories.
It has also deployed machines that can produce ingots for materials like lithium niobate and germanium used in quantum applications and IR cameras.
On the chip side, Elavarasan said that the company is pursuing a different strategy.
“For semiconductors, we are very clear that we want to supply only the wafers and not the machine. We want to hold the entire IP in terms of ingot and wafer manufacturing. But for solar, we are going to sell the machines,” he said. It plans to have a commercial 12-inch CZ for chips in around three years.
Currently, countries like Germany, Korea, the US and China dominate the manufacturing of CZ machines. Elavarasan said that more than 90 per cent of ingot machines used in solar manufacturing are produced in China.
Published on September 10, 2026
