Mumbai: In a major breakthrough for India’s solar energy sector, a startup from IIT Bombay called Advanced Renewable Tandem-Photovoltaics India (ART-PV India) has developed a new type of solar cell. This solar cell has achieved 29.8% efficiency, which is one of the highest ever recorded in India.
This means it can convert almost 30% of sunlight into electricity, much more than regular solar panels. The existing solar panel converts upto 20% energy of sunlight.
This new solar cell uses perovskite and silicon together in a special two-layer design, known as a tandem solar cell. The top layer, made of perovskite, absorbs high-energy sunlight, while the bottom silicon layer captures the rest. This design allows the solar cell to collect more sunlight and produce more electricity.
The solar cell is also lightweight, low-cost, and easier to make compared to traditional ones. Scientists believe this technology could soon reach over 30% efficiency, making it one of the most promising solar technologies for the future.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, visited the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay on Tuesday and interacted with scientists and visited important labs, including the Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell lab. He praised the innovation, calling it a major milestone and a big step towards India’s goal of self-reliance in clean energy.
NCPRE was started at IIT Bombay in 2010 with support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Over the past 15 years, MNRE has given more than Rs 200 crore to support its work.
Now, the ministry is also giving around Rs 83 crore ($10 million) to ART-PV India to build a pilot manufacturing plant at IIT Bombay. This will help turn the lab success into a product that can be made in large numbers.
Minister Joshi said this innovation shows how India can lead in solar technology. He added that the government will keep supporting research and innovation to bring new, affordable, and clean energy solutions to people.
