In this exclusive interview, Mr. Arun Bhardwaj, Managing Director, Smarten Power Systems, shares insights into the company’s remarkable growth from a power backup solutions provider to a leading player in the renewable energy sector. He discusses emerging trends in solar power, energy storage, AI-driven energy management, and Smarten’s vision for building sustainable, intelligent, and globally competitive energy solutions.
IT Voice- Smarten Power Systems has emerged as a recognized name in the power backup and solar energy segment. Could you take us through the company’s journey, key milestones, and the factors that have driven its growth over the years?
Arun Bhardwaj- When we started Smarten Power Systems in 2014, the idea was simple but important to solve the challenge of unreliable power and make energy access more dependable and affordable. We began with Home UPS systems, and as market needs evolved, we expanded into solar inverters, PCUs, charge controllers, batteries, and solar panels to build a complete energy ecosystem. Some key milestones shaped this journey. In 2014, we entered international markets with exports to Nepal and launched our solar portfolio. By 2020, we commissioned our second manufacturing facility in Gurugram, where today we operate across 30,000 square feet with a current capacity of around 700 – 800 units a day, with expansion plans up to 1200 -1500 units. Today, with over 300 professionals, 372 SKUs, 400 plus distributors, 50 plus service points, presence across 23 states and over 17 countries, and now being NSE listed, our growth has been driven by innovation, strong partnerships, and staying close to customer needs.
IT Voice- Having witnessed significant changes in the industry, how would you describe the evolution of India’s power backup and solar energy market over the past decade?
Arun Bhardwaj- Over the last ten years, the industry has gone through a complete transformation. In the early days, power backup was largely a reactive purchase. People needed it because outages were frequent and the focus was mainly on keeping essential appliances running. Today, the mindset is very different. Energy has become a strategic decision where customers are thinking about efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability together. What has changed the most is the growing acceptance of solar. It is no longer seen as an optional investment but as a practical and long term energy solution across homes, businesses, and rural communities. Technology has also evolved rapidly with smarter inverters, better battery systems, and improved solar efficiency. Government support and increasing awareness have played a big role in this shift. Going forward, I believe the market will move towards integrated energy ecosystems where solar, storage, and grid work seamlessly together, making energy more intelligent, reliable, and self sufficient.
IT Voice- What are the most significant trends currently shaping the future of energy storage, solar power, and renewable energy technologies in India and globally?
Arun Bhardwaj- We are witnessing a very important shift in the energy sector where the focus is moving from standalone products to integrated energy ecosystems. One of the biggest trends is the rapid growth of energy storage, especially lithium based technologies, which are making renewable energy more stable and reliable. In solar, we are seeing stronger demand for hybrid systems that can intelligently manage solar, battery, and grid power together. Another major trend is decentralization, where energy generation is moving closer to the point of consumption through rooftop solar and distributed energy systems. Digital intelligence is also becoming critical, with smart monitoring, automation, and predictive energy management improving system efficiency. Globally and in India, affordability continues to drive adoption, but customers now expect both performance and intelligence. I believe the future will belong to solutions that are efficient, scalable, and adaptable, making clean energy not just accessible but also practical for everyday use across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
IT Voice- Building a manufacturing-led technology company comes with unique opportunities and challenges. What has been Smarten’s approach to strengthening its manufacturing capabilities and supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative?
Arun Bhardwaj- Our approach has always been to build capability first and scale responsibly. From the beginning, we believed that if we wanted to create lasting value in power electronics and renewable energy, we had to own more of the product journey ourselves. That is why we invested in manufacturing and in house R&D in Gurugram, starting with assembly and gradually strengthening design, testing, quality control, and product innovation. Today, with a 30,000 square foot facility, production capacity of 1,200 to 1,500 units a day, and plans to expand further, we are building not just volume but manufacturing depth. This matters because Make in India is not only about producing locally, it is about creating products that are dependable, competitive, and suited to Indian and global conditions. For us, that also means developing a strong team of more than 300 professionals, maintaining strict quality standards, and reducing dependence on imports wherever possible. In many ways, our manufacturing journey is our commitment to national capability, customer trust, and long term self reliance.
IT Voice- Consumer expectations are changing rapidly, with increasing demand for intelligent, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions. How does innovation and R&D help Smarten stay ahead of these evolving requirements?
Arun Bhardwaj- Innovation and R&D are at the heart of how we stay relevant in a market that is changing very quickly. At Smarten, we do not look at R&D as a back end function. We see it as the place where customer needs, field realities, and future technology come together. Every improvement in efficiency, battery performance, safety, ease of use, and installation simplicity begins with understanding what users actually experience on the ground. That is why our teams keep working on smarter product architecture, better power conversion, stronger protection systems, and more practical designs for Indian and global conditions. The goal is not innovation for its own sake. The goal is to create solutions that are dependable, affordable, and genuinely useful in daily life. When customer expectations shift toward intelligent, efficient, and sustainable energy, our answer has to be products that solve real problems while also preparing users for the future. That is where sustained R&D gives us our edge.
IT Voice- Technologies such as IoT, AI, and advanced battery management systems are transforming the energy sector. How do you envision the future of smart power solutions and intelligent energy management?
Arun Bhardwaj- The future of smart power solutions will be defined by intelligence, adaptability, and integration. Energy systems will no longer be judged only by backup time or wattage. They will be expected to communicate, optimize, and respond in real time. I see IoT, AI, and advanced battery management playing a very important role in that shift. These technologies will help systems understand usage patterns, improve charging decisions, protect battery health, reduce wastage, and make energy consumption more efficient. Over time, the household or commercial energy setup will behave less like a passive appliance and more like an intelligent energy partner. At Smarten, we believe the winning solutions will be those that bring together solar, storage, and grid support in a seamless way. The real opportunity lies in making that intelligence simple enough for everyday users, because technology only creates value when it is practical, reliable, and easy to trust.
IT Voice- Smarten has established a strong presence in India and several international markets. Could you share insights into your global footprint, export strategy, and plans for further expansion in the coming years?
Arun Bhardwaj- Our global footprint has grown steadily because the need for affordable and reliable power is not limited to one geography. We are present across India and in more than 17 countries across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where the need for energy access, backup reliability, and solar adoption is very strong. Our export strategy has always been built around understanding local market realities, working closely with distributors and channel partners, and offering products suited to regional requirements rather than pushing a one size fits all model. That approach has helped us build trust in diverse markets. Going forward, I see international expansion coming from deeper penetration in existing markets, stronger partner ecosystems, and a wider product portfolio that meets evolving demand. The idea is to grow responsibly, strengthen our presence in markets where we already operate, and enter new regions only when we can bring real value through quality, service, and long term partnership.
IT Voice- Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for Smarten Power Systems, and how do you see the company contributing to the future of sustainable energy both in India and globally?
Arun Bhardwaj- My long term vision for Smarten is to build a globally respected energy solutions company that stays rooted in purpose. I want us to be known not just for making power backup and solar products, but for helping shape a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future. In India, that means continuing to strengthen manufacturing, innovation, and accessibility so that more households, businesses, and rural users can benefit from clean energy. Globally, it means taking Indian engineering to more markets and proving that high quality, affordable solutions can be built here and trusted anywhere. I also see our role as going beyond products. We must contribute to confidence in renewable adoption, stronger energy independence, and better outcomes for customers who need both performance and affordability. For me, success will mean that Smarten becomes a company people trust because we have stayed honest to our mission, disciplined in execution, and focused on solving real energy challenges at scale.
