Renewable energy

India Takes a Leap in Clean Energy with Breakthrough Solar Cell Innovation

Strategic Insights

Jul 15, 2025 — 1 min read

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has made a significant contribution to India's clean energy future with the development of a high-efficiency solar cell. The innovation, developed by the Advanced Renewable Tandem-Photovoltaics India (ART-PV India), a start-up incubated at IIT Bombay, has achieved a remarkable 29.8% conversion efficiency of sunlight to energy. This breakthrough solar cell, called the 4-terminal Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite tandem solar cell, has the potential to push solar cell efficiency beyond 30%, significantly outperforming current technologies.

Key Takeaways:

The 4-terminal Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite tandem solar cell, developed by ART-PV India, has achieved a record-breaking 29.8% conversion efficiency of sunlight to energy.
The innovation has the potential to push solar cell efficiency beyond 30%, significantly outperforming current technologies.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, visited the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay, describing the innovation as a "game-changer" for India's energy ambitions.
MNRE is backing ART-PV India with Rs. 83 crore to set up a pilot manufacturing facility at IIT-B, to help turn Indian research into commercially viable technology.
Joshi emphasized the importance of commercial deployment, encouraging the IIT Bombay and ART-PV India teams to focus on making advanced technologies accessible to industry.
He highlighted the need to build a stronger innovation ecosystem, driving energy efficiency, and making advanced technologies accessible to industry.

Statistics:

29.8%: The conversion efficiency of sunlight to energy achieved by the 4-terminal Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite tandem solar cell.
Rs 83 crore: The funding provided by MNRE to ART-PV India to set up a pilot manufacturing facility at IIT-B.
30%: The potential solar cell efficiency that the innovation aims to push beyond.

Sources:

Hindustan Times: "IIT Bombay develops solar cell that could fuel India's clean energy future"

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