Govt to invite private investors for IIT-B solar power centre
While the ministry for new and renewable energy (MNRE) has so far provided Rs 200 crore to IIT-Bombay's National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) for research and development in solar cells, power electronics and batteries, among other things, the govt now plans to rope in private investors to scale the technology commercially.
Researchers at the IIT-Bombay-incubated start-up, Advanced Renewable Tandem-Photovoltaics India (ART-PV India), in a major breakthrough, have developed the Silicon-Perovskite solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of almost 30%, surpassing the usual 22-23% achieved in conventional solar photovoltaic cells.
"This is a national milestone and one of the highest performance levels ever achieved in India and needs commercial production," the minister said during a media interaction.
The technology has been patented and published in a journal, and there is optimism about scaling it up for commercial use, he added.
The new solar cell follows a four-terminal configuration, where the perovskite and silicon layers are stacked non-monolithically, allowing the independent optimisation of each sub-cell.
The top-layer of perovskite absorbs the high-energy sunlight, and the rest is absorbed by the silicon layer, helping in increased efficiency of the cell.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
Prof Dinesh Kabra from IIT-Bombay, co-founder and director of ART-PV, said that the NCPRE was set up in 2010 and since then the union govt has provided grants in three phases totalling up to Rs 200 crore. Kabra said that the meeting on Tuesday was centered around scaling the technology through public-private partnerships and that the team is keen on using indigenous equipment, that are manufactured locally, in their laboratories.
The ART-PV is planning the commercial roll out by Dec 2027.
The MNRE is also supporting ART-PV India with a grant of Rs 83 crore for establishing a state-of-the-art pilot manufacturing facility on the Powai campus, in line with the commitment to nurturing domestic intellectual property, and ensuring Indian innovation reaches global markets.
The ministry will continue to provide policy and financial support to ensure India's renewable energy sector thrives on innovation and self-reliance, said Joshi. He urged the ART-PV team to commercially demonstrate the fact that these solar cells are not only scalable but also profitable. He mentioned the need for policy decisions to encourage private sector involvement and faster commercialisation of such technologies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
3 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Tryst with EVs
iStock More than three decades ago, India saw an automobile revolution unfolding. GoI's pro-liberalisation policy thrust, which subsequently led to the opening up of the market, helped create an entire manufacturing ecosystem, making it possible to produce quality and affordable passenger cars. This enabled millions of Indians to fulfill their dream of owning a car. Today, personal mobility in India – and the world – is poised on the threshold of a tectonic transformation. It is now a globally acknowledged fact that reducing reliance on fossil fuels by replacing vehicles running on conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) with EVs is the need of the hour. Furthermore, for a country like India that has abundant sun, wind and water for RE and enough coal for thermal power, there is an absolute need to become self-reliant and stop importing millions and millions of barrels of oil. While government support has played an important role in creating a market for EVs so far, a 2023 McKinsey survey suggests that consumer preferences are also now driving the demand for electric cars. More than two-thirds of customers in the survey considered buying an EV as their next car purchase. The market is responding to this emerging EV demand. Car manufacturers in India are making considerable efforts towards designing and manufacturing EVs that are safe, comfortable, and offer quality features and style as preferred by Indian customers. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are also building charging infrastructure at a record pace to ensure that the EVs have uninterrupted and adequate power supply. As of FY25, there are about 25k charging stations in India, a 2x growth since last over 50 mn passenger cars on the road, India is now the third largest passenger car market in the world, behind China and the US. The Indian PV market is expected to grow at 6-7% CAGR over the next 5 years, adding 5-6 mn cars a year. It is the need of the hour for a significant portion of these cars to be EVs. Not only are EVs better for our planet and air quality, but also for our current account, reducing our dependence on imports in a meaningful is encouraging to see that India is taking important policy strides to enable EV adoption. The government has given generous subsidies, such as the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of EVs) scheme and lower GST rates, on EVs to stimulate consumer demand. Incentives to boost the manufacturing of batteries for EVs have also been provided. Moreover, OEMs, as a community, are working together to further EV awareness and effective policy measure is the corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) norm that mandates OEMs to manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles, thereby limiting the carbon dioxide emitted by the total fleet produced by them in a year. Manufacturing and selling more EVs—which have zero tailpipe emissions compared to petrol or diesel cars—allows OEMs to comfortably meet their annual CAFE is now seeking to strengthen CAFE norms in existence since 2022, with an updated version that aims to significantly improve the fuel efficiency benchmark in India. Such a move will be a major turning point, as it will spur more carmakers to make an aggressive shift towards EVs, helping the ecosystem grow. Also, faster EV adoption will help create economies of scale, thereby improving the global competitiveness of India's auto industry. According to estimates, India's passenger EV market is expected to grow to 1.0 mn vehicles by at the crossroads of clean mobility and energy view electric vehicles not just as a technological shift, but as a strategic win for business, the economy, and the planet. This is the foundation of their commitment to the growth of the EV ecosystem in India. But unlocking their full potential will require collective and collaborative action—from both GoI and the entire manufacturing ecosystem. Policy interventions such as CAFE and other supply-side mandates to manufacture more EVs have played and will continue to play a critical role in this journey. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. From near bankruptcy to blockbuster drug: How Khorakiwala turned around Wockhardt Paid less than plumbers? The real story of freshers' salaries at Infy, TCS. As deposit ground slips under PSU banks' feet, they chase the wealthy If data is the new oil, are data centres the smokestacks of the digital age? Stock Radar: M&M likely to break out from 1-year consolidation range; time to buy? Will consumer stocks see a comeback this festive season? 12 stocks to keep an eye on even when analysts are not bullish Don't fear volatility, focus on businesses: 5 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 27% Best way to deal with volatility, just ' Hold' for wealth creation: 7 large-cap stocks with an upside potential of up to 41%
India.com
3 minutes ago
- India.com
Not Mukesh Ambani, Akash Ambani or Anant Ambani, but this person owns India's most expensive car of Rs 1000000000, it is…, she is…
Mukesh Ambani is in headlines for his expensive Antilia house, cars and luxurious lifestyle. But he is not the owner of India's most expensive car despite having the world's best cars collections. Who Is Owner Of India's Most Expensive Car? According to a report by ABP Live, Nita Ambani owns the Audi A9 Chameleon, a luxury car estimated at Rs 100 crore. It is an ultra-exclusive vehicle and has color-shifting paint technology that can change colors electronically at the press of a button. It also gives a unique driving experience. Only 11 units of this cars are sold worldwide, the Audi A9 Chameleon is among the rarest and most innovative cars ever built. Its blend of cutting-edge design and sheer exclusivity makes it a symbol of both wealth and technological sophistication. Nita Ambani's Cars Collection The Audi A9 Chameleon is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine with an impressive 600 horsepower. The vehicle's two-door design spans five meters in length with better presence on the road. It is a unique car with a single-piece windshield and roof. It also has a design rarely seen in conventional luxury cars. It is equipped with next-generation technology available only in this model, the car embodies the pinnacle of modern automotive innovation. Nita Ambani's Cars Collection Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII EWB: This extended model is celebrated for its opulent interiors and a commanding V12 engine. Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard: Engineered for maximum protection, this armored sedan is bulletproof and blast-resistant, offering top-tier security. Ferrari 812 Superfast: A high-performance sports car has a mighty V12 engine, delivering both speed and style. Bentley Continental Flying Spur: A refined grand tourer, known for its elegant design, advanced features, and robust engine performance. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: This ultra-luxurious SUV combines off-road capability with Rolls-Royce's signature comfort and power. BMW 7 Series 760Li Security (2004 model): Luxury sedan designed for discreet security gives protection and prestige.
India.com
3 minutes ago
- India.com
US 1, UAE 2, China 3...: India witnesses massive rise in..., China in tension due to...
File/PTI New Delhi: In a massive good news for India's exports across the world, the first quarter (April–June) of the financial year 2025–26 has been highly encouraging for India's export sector, reducing the trade deficit. With significant growth recorded in export of electronics, readymade garments (RMG), and marine products, India exports saw a massive growth in its export market in the April-June quarter. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, electronics exports alone saw a sharp rise of 47%, reaching $12.41 billion during this period. What are India's export destinations? The official data also included that irrespective of the ongoing trade war restrictions, the United States remained the largest export destination for Indian electronics, accounting for a massive 60.17% share, followed by the UAE and China. This surge reflects India's growing strength in the global tech supply chain, backed by increased manufacturing capacity and government support. What do record export figures indicate for India? As per the data by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the Indian exports (merchandise and services) reached a record level of $210.31 billion in April-June period – up from $198 billion in the same quarter last year – which is a powerful testament to the resilience and agility of Indian exporters. How did India's agri-exports perform in Q1 FY26? In a significant good news, India's exports of agricultural and processed foods got off to a great start in FY26, growing 7 per cent year-on-year to $5.96 billion in the April–June quarter (Q1 FY26). The centre-piece of India's agricultural exports is still rice. The shipments of both non-basmati and basmati rice increased by 3.5 per cent to $2.9 billion in Q1. As per the official data of the ministry, the massive jump comes in the shipments of both non-basmati and basmati rice after rice exports in FY25 reached a record $12.47 billion, a 20 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year. (With inputs from agencies)
