As the global energy landscape undergoes a seismic shift, few are as well-positioned at the crossroads of capital, technology, and policy as Akshat Jain, CEO of KLK Ventures. With a sharp focus on accelerating India’s solar ambitions, KLK Ventures is not just funding projects—it’s shaping the future of clean energy through strategic bets and system-level thinking. In this exclusive conversation with Machine Edge Global, Akshat shares his insights on the forces driving solar’s next leap, the real challenges behind India’s manufacturing dreams, and why consistency in policy could be the single most powerful catalyst for the sector’s long-term growth.
KLK Ventures has positioned itself at the intersection of capital, innovation, and policy in the solar space. How do you see these forces reshaping the clean energy sector over the next 3–5 years?
Over the next 3 to 5 years, we expect the clean energy sector to grow rapidly due to three strong forces: capital, innovation, and supportive policies. Investors are now more confident in long-term solar projects. Technology is helping bring down costs and improve efficiency. And policy frameworks—such as open access reforms and ALMM updates—are helping create a better environment for solar adoption. Together, these will transform how solar is adopted and integrated in India.
You often talk about what comes after scale. From your perspective, where is the next big leap for the solar industry—efficiency, integration, resilience? What breakthroughs excite you most?
Scaling up solar was the first challenge—and we’ve done that well across India. Now, the focus is shifting to making solar more efficient, connected, and future-ready. The next big leap will come from integrating solar with smart storage, using digital tools like IoT for remote monitoring, and making systems more reliable in all weather conditions. This is what will help solar reach the next level of impact and stability.
India has been a massive consumer of solar, but can it realistically become a global manufacturing powerhouse, especially in the China+1 context? What are the ground realities you’re seeing?
India has a strong opportunity to grow as a manufacturing hub for solar modules, batteries, and other components—especially as companies worldwide look for alternatives to China. However, the ground reality is that we still face challenges such as supply chain gaps, import dependence for key raw materials, and the need for policy consistency. With focused efforts on infrastructure, local sourcing, and government support, India can compete globally in the next few years.
Many C&I consumers are now pairing storage with solar. Why is standalone solar no longer sufficient? What’s driving the economics behind the solar + storage model?
Industrial and commercial consumers want dependable energy that covers evening and night-time usage too. That’s why many are moving from standalone solar to solar-plus-storage systems. Batteries help them manage peak demand, reduce diesel usage, and keep operations running during outages. As battery costs fall and financing options improve, this model is becoming both technically smart and financially viable.
From a VC’s lens, what are some of the most common blind spots you see in solar startups, especially when it comes to go-to-market strategy and scaling?
Many solar startups come in with strong tech ideas, but underestimate the challenges of execution—like project delivery, cash flow management, and after-sales service. Another gap is not having a clear go-to-market strategy or understanding local market dynamics. Scaling in the solar space requires deep on-ground experience, financial discipline, and strong partner networks—technology alone is not enough.
How are policy tools like net metering, renewable energy certificates (RECs), and energy trading shaping market behaviour? What aspects of India’s policy framework are enabling growth—and where are you still seeing friction?
These policy tools are helping make solar more flexible and accessible for consumers. Net metering supports rooftop adoption, RECs encourage green procurement, and energy trading platforms will allow surplus solar to be sold easily. However, the pace of implementation and clarity varies across states, which creates confusion for developers and delays projects. A more uniform and transparent approach is needed to fully realize the benefits of these tools.
For investors, solar has moved beyond an ESG checkbox. How are long-horizon funds now looking at solar as a serious infrastructure bet?
Investors are now seeing solar as a reliable long-term asset class—just like roads or power transmission. It’s no longer just an ESG checkbox. With stable power purchase agreements, improved O&M systems, and higher returns, solar is becoming a serious part of infrastructure portfolios for domestic and international funds.
What do you think the Indian solar sector needs most urgently—technological innovation, regulatory clarity, or financial innovation?
India’s solar sector needs more than just funding or technology—it needs policy clarity. Frequent changes in rules or delays in approvals hurt project timelines and investor confidence. What we need most is consistency in regulations, clear timelines for approvals, and faster decision-making. Once that’s in place, the sector will grow on its own strength.