Readers, do you remember? Just a few days back, we covered a story about China’s breakthrough in solar technology. They introduced perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, a new kind of solar panel that improves efficiency and reduces costs. It was the first of its kind in the world. Although they invented this technology way back, here’s the good news—India is no longer behind in this race.
India’s IIT Bombay has developed a similar technology 4T silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell that can take solar efficiency to 30% and even push it up to 45% in the future. This means India is now competing on the global stage with advanced solar innovation.
The project is being driven by ART-PV India, a startup incubated at IIT Bombay’s National Centre for Photovoltaic Research & Education (NCPRE). The Maharashtra government, through its think tank MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation), is aggressively pushing for this technology to be scaled up.
So, what makes this special? Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells generate more electricity using fewer panels. This makes solar energy cheaper, more efficient, and easier to install, especially in places where space is limited. Until now, China dominated solar panel production, but India has a real chance to challenge that dominance.
To take this innovation to the next level, the Maharashtra government is planning to set up a 300-MW pilot project in Uran. MITRA is already in talks with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Asian Investment Bank to secure funding. One of these banks has even given an in-principle approval. The goal is to start the project in the next three months and bring in full investment within six months.
Professor Dinesh Kabra from IIT Bombay explained why this is such a big deal. “This technology changes everything. If earlier you needed 8-10 solar panels to generate 3 kW of power, now you may need only 6-8 panels. That means less cost, less space, and fewer imports. Even wiring and silver paste usage (a key material in solar panels) will be reduced. This will make solar energy more affordable for homes, businesses, and even satellites.”
But there’s one big challenge—funding. China became a solar giant because it invested in research years before others. Now, many countries are working on perovskite solar cells, and within 2-3 years, the technology will be widely available. If India wants to take the lead, it needs strong financial backing and faster execution.
For now, though, this is a huge step forward. India has the brains, the technology, and now a plan to compete with global giants. If this project succeeds, it could redefine India’s position in the solar industry. The race is on.
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