India's Solar Innovation Drive: Leading with Perovskite Research
Key Ideas
  • Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has allocated over Rs 200 crore to NCPRE, IIT Bombay for R&D in solar technology over 15 years.
  • India is focusing on perovskite solar cells, inverter technology, PV-reliability, green hydrogen, and energy storage to transform its renewable energy sector.
  • ART-PV India, a startup incubated at IIT Bombay, achieved a national milestone by developing a high-efficiency 4-Terminal Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite tandem solar cell.
  • MNRE's support to NCPRE and ART-PV India aligns with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to make India a global leader in clean energy innovation.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in India has been actively supporting the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay with over Rs 200 crore in funding over the past 15 years. The focus of this support is to drive research and development in line with India's ambitious 100 GW solar mission. Recent innovations at NCPRE, such as the development of a 4-Terminal Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite tandem solar cell with a record-breaking conversion efficiency of 29.8%, showcase India's leadership in solar technology. Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasized the importance of investing in technologies like perovskite solar cells, inverter technology, green hydrogen, and energy storage to define India's future in renewable energy. MNRE's financial assistance to ART-PV India for establishing a pilot manufacturing facility further illustrates the government's commitment to promoting domestic innovation in the renewable energy sector. The collaborative efforts between MNRE, NCPRE, and ART-PV India aim to reduce reliance on imported technology, foster indigenous manufacturing, and drive the transition from lab-scale breakthroughs to scalable, profitable solutions. This strategy is part of the larger vision of the Indian government to position the country as a global clean energy hub and set new benchmarks in research and development. By supporting initiatives like the Renewable Energy Research & Technology Development (RE-RTD) and R&D funding schemes, MNRE is enabling institutions like NCPRE to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies. Overall, the article highlights India's significant strides in solar innovation, underpinned by strong government support, strategic investments, and a focus on building a self-reliant and innovative renewable energy ecosystem.
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