IIT-B startup builds India's most efficient solar cell with 29.8% conversion; “Game-changer” for India, says Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said that new solar cell technology developed at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) is a “gamechanger” and urged industry players to invest in scaling up the project.

IIT-B startup builds India's most efficient solar cell 

A startup from IIT Bombay, 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.

It can convert almost 30% of sunlight into electricity, much more than regular solar panels. The existing solar panel converts up to 20% energy of sunlight.

Scientists believe this technology could soon reach over 30% efficiency, making it one of the most powerful solar technologies for the future.

This new solar cell uses perovskite and silicon together in a special two-layer design, called a tandem solar cell.

The top layer, made of perovskite, absorbs high-energy sunlight, while the bottom silicon layer captures the remaining light. This design allows the solar cell to collect more sunlight, producing more electricity.

The lightweight, low-cost solar cell is easier to build compared to traditional ones.

'Game-changer', says Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi visited the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT-B and said, “It is a game-changer for India’s solar energy future. This makes India a global leader in next-gen photovoltaics and by investing in such innovations, we are driving down the cost of solar energy, making it more accessible for all Indians.”

Joshi announced the disbursement of the fourth instalment of total funding of Rs 200 crore, assured more than a decade ago, to the NCPRE, the umbrella body for various research projects in the renewable energy sector at the institute.

The current phase of funding is expected to bring Rs. 83 crore through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model as the government is urging industry players to invest in scaling up the project, particularly the high-efficiency 2-terminal tandem solar cell using a perovskite-silicon combination, attaining about 30 per cent power conversion efficiency, which is significantly higher than the current 20 per cent.

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