Rishab Kohli : Powering India's Solar Revolution For A Better Tomorrow
Rishab Kohli
Managing Director
Rishab Kohli, the Managing Director of Orient Solar, had the foresight to perceive this as an opportunity for meaningful change and a chance to tackle both the escalating energy costs and the environmental challenges facing the country.
Today, Rishab is driving this change with state-of-the-art solar energy solutions through Orient Solar, which is endowing the communities in India with the capabilities to exploit the full potential of the sun.
In truth, Rishab has been in charge of leading-edge businesses in different industries. Having studied in the UK and the US, he observed how rapidly the solar market was implemented in markets such as China and the US.
This drove him to believe that the Indian solar market was ready to experience the same changes. After the government subsidies and low-cost loans for solar projects were introduced in 2019-2020, barriers to entry were substantially lower, which presents a great opportunity.
Based on this, Rishab launched Orient Solar, which has been motivated by the vision of delivering affordable and sustainable energy to the sustainability of the Indian population and minimizing the cost of energy in general. CEO Insights recently conducted an exclusive interview with Rishab. He walks us through his experience, leadership strategies and future vision.
What factors motivated you to enter the solar industry, and what motivates you on a daily basis?
I was motivated to enter the solar industry primarily due to the rising energy costs and the significant growth potential in the sector. After studying in the UK and the US, I saw firsthand
the rapid growth of solar in markets like China and the US. Around 2020, the Indian government introduced subsidies and low-cost loans for setting up solar projects, which lowered the entry barriers. Recognizing the opportunity, there is significant growth in the solar market in India, as indicated by the efforts of the current BJP government.
Growth is my primary motivation. I thrive on rapid expansion; since the start, we have already quadrupled the turnover yearly. The process, the individuals I have on the way and the never-ending challenge motivate me. Although the need to be sustainable and minimize energy expenditures are the chief drivers, it is the stimulus of expansion that keeps me going.
What are the key factors you consider when recommending your offerings to clients?
The key factors I consider when recommending our offerings to clients are as follows: First, the reduction of carbon footprint through conscious decisions, such as switching to solar energy. Second, cost, our renewable energy solutions offer cheaper and more reliable alternatives, particularly in tier two and tier three cities. For our B2B business, such as developers and large EPC players, our main selling points are our LMM certification, good track record, reliability of our products and reliability of dispatch, allowing us to sell on the basis of consistent performance and credibility in our propositions.
Can you describe your leadership style and the work environment you’ve established for your team?
My leadership style is centered on a partnership approach rather than a subordinate one. I focus on helping my team reach their maximum potential, as I believe a good leader is someone who enables others to become leaders them selves. The work environment is fast-paced and results-driven, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and positivity. We place emphasis on accomplishing the work within the definite hours. Though the staff is energetic and fresh, we make sure to maintain a politics free, enjoyable atmosphere. I strive to ensure everyone is motivated and engaged, as I believe a happy team is a productive one.
What are your thoughts on incorporating Gen Z into the workforce?
Growth is my primary motivation. I thrive on rapid expansion; since the start, we have already quadrupled the turnover yearly. The process, the individuals I have on the way and the never-ending challenge motivate me. Although the need to be sustainable and minimize energy expenditures are the chief drivers, it is the stimulus of expansion that keeps me going.
Business is all about solving problems, so stay focused and resilient, even in the face of tough competition
What are the key factors you consider when recommending your offerings to clients?
The key factors I consider when recommending our offerings to clients are as follows: First, the reduction of carbon footprint through conscious decisions, such as switching to solar energy. Second, cost, our renewable energy solutions offer cheaper and more reliable alternatives, particularly in tier two and tier three cities. For our B2B business, such as developers and large EPC players, our main selling points are our LMM certification, good track record, reliability of our products and reliability of dispatch, allowing us to sell on the basis of consistent performance and credibility in our propositions.
Can you describe your leadership style and the work environment you’ve established for your team?
My leadership style is centered on a partnership approach rather than a subordinate one. I focus on helping my team reach their maximum potential, as I believe a good leader is someone who enables others to become leaders them selves. The work environment is fast-paced and results-driven, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and positivity. We place emphasis on accomplishing the work within the definite hours. Though the staff is energetic and fresh, we make sure to maintain a politics free, enjoyable atmosphere. I strive to ensure everyone is motivated and engaged, as I believe a happy team is a productive one.
What are your thoughts on incorporating Gen Z into the workforce?
Our workforce includes a significant number of Gen Z employees, especially in their early 20s, as solar is a relatively new industry. While I may be more traditional, our team is highly tech-savvy and social media-oriented, and we have a big following on social media, especially Instagram. Gen Z’s embrace of AI across different ranks of the business is another key trend we’ve integrated. They are ambitious and think ahead, and this helps us as we grow.
How do you stay informed about ongoing industry developments?
I stay updated through industry magazines like Solar Energy and ET Energy, as well as LinkedIn and the news. Staying informed is also done through networking. Additionally, since the solar manufacturing sector in India is relatively small, I maintain close contact with other industry leaders to stay in the loop on developments.
What future roadmap do you envision for the company over the next five years?
We plan to go public within the next two years. We are currently significantly expanding our facility, increasing module capacity to 2.8 gigawatts and solar cell capacity to 2.4 gigawatts. Operations are expected to be fully functional by early 2026. We would like to keep growing and developing the solar industry, both nationally and through export.
What piece of advice would you like to pass on to the upcoming leaders in solar?
My key advice would be to invest in people and never take them for granted. Successful business construction depends on good and treated people who can develop with you. Secondly, be practical and unperturbed when it comes to business problems. Business is all about solving problems, so stay focused and resilient, even in the face of tough competition. Everybody can win you just need to move on.
Rishab Kohli, Managing Director, Orient Solar
Rishab’s leadership at Orient Solar has made the company a top player in India’s solar industry. His focus on sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions keeps the company growing and innovative.
•Hobbies: Working out, especially running
•Favorite Cuisine: Japanese
•Favorite Book: The Art of War by SunTzu
•Favorite Travel Destination: Bali and Italy
How do you stay informed about ongoing industry developments?
I stay updated through industry magazines like Solar Energy and ET Energy, as well as LinkedIn and the news. Staying informed is also done through networking. Additionally, since the solar manufacturing sector in India is relatively small, I maintain close contact with other industry leaders to stay in the loop on developments.
What future roadmap do you envision for the company over the next five years?
We plan to go public within the next two years. We are currently significantly expanding our facility, increasing module capacity to 2.8 gigawatts and solar cell capacity to 2.4 gigawatts. Operations are expected to be fully functional by early 2026. We would like to keep growing and developing the solar industry, both nationally and through export.
What piece of advice would you like to pass on to the upcoming leaders in solar?
My key advice would be to invest in people and never take them for granted. Successful business construction depends on good and treated people who can develop with you. Secondly, be practical and unperturbed when it comes to business problems. Business is all about solving problems, so stay focused and resilient, even in the face of tough competition. Everybody can win you just need to move on.
Rishab Kohli, Managing Director, Orient Solar
Rishab’s leadership at Orient Solar has made the company a top player in India’s solar industry. His focus on sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions keeps the company growing and innovative.
•Hobbies: Working out, especially running
•Favorite Cuisine: Japanese
•Favorite Book: The Art of War by SunTzu
•Favorite Travel Destination: Bali and Italy