The global renewable revolution continues to accelerate, but no innovation in recent years has stirred as much excitement as perovskite solar cells (PSCs)—a technology that promises to double solar efficiency at half the cost. In India, 2025 marks a turning point for this breakthrough, as research transitions into large-scale manufacturing. With IIT-led innovations, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) funding, and startups scaling indigenous production, perovskite solar cells represent India’s next big leap toward energy self-reliance and sustainability.
Introduction
For over four decades, silicon-based solar panels have dominated global markets, transforming India into one of the largest solar energy producers. However, silicon technology has reached its performance limit—average panel efficiency stagnates around 20–22%, and manufacturing remains energy-intensive. Meanwhile, perovskite solar cells have emerged as the “next generation” of photovoltaics, offering record-breaking efficiencies, flexibility, and cost advantages.
In 2025, India’s clean energy agenda—driven by Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the 500 GW renewable target by 2030—finds its most promising ally in perovskite technology. If scaled successfully, perovskite cells could revolutionize India’s solar manufacturing sector, reduce import dependency, and power affordable transitions toward net-zero emissions.
What Are Perovskite Solar Cells?
Perovskite solar cells are third-generation photovoltaic devices that use a crystal-structured compound (named after the mineral perovskite, Calcium Titanate) as the light-absorbing layer. This material’s chemical flexibility allows scientists to tune its composition—commonly with hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halides—to achieve exceptional light absorption and charge transport properties.
These qualities make PSCs lighter, more flexible, and more efficient than silicon panels, while being cheaper to manufacture.
Key Characteristics:
- High Efficiency: Over 30% power conversion efficiency (PCE) achievable using silicon–perovskite tandem structures.
- Low Cost: Solution-based manufacturing processes like roll-to-roll printing dramatically reduce costs per watt.
- Flexibility: Can be fabricated on flexible films, enabling applications in curved surfaces, mobiles, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
- Low-Temperature Production: Requires less energy than silicon wafer fabrication, reducing carbon footprint in manufacturing.
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How They Work
A typical perovskite solar cell converts sunlight into electricity using a simple layered structure:
- Transparent Electrode (e.g., ITO or FTO): Allows sunlight to pass through.
- Electron Transport Layer (ETL): Transfers electrons to the electrode.
- Perovskite Absorber Layer: Captures sunlight and generates charge carriers.
- Hole Transport Layer (HTL): Moves positive charges.
- Metal Electrode (e.g., Gold or Carbon): Completes the electrical circuit.
Photons excite electrons within the perovskite crystal, creating electrical current through the circuit.
Unlike silicon, which needs precise crystal formation, perovskite films are solution-coated, enabling low-cost scaling through printing or spray deposition.
India’s Emerging Leadership in Perovskite Innovation
India’s scientific and industrial ecosystem has pivoted rapidly towards perovskite commercialization, encouraged by government-backed research, academic breakthroughs, and private startups.
1. Government and MNRE Support
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plays a crucial role through the Renewable Energy Research & Technology Development (RE-RTD) Programme, funding perovskite R&D across top institutes.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi emphasized that “India is defining the future of clean energy through perovskite research” during the 2025 announcement of indigenous silicon–perovskite tandem cells at IIT Bombay.
India’s Research Breakthroughs
1. IIT Roorkee (2025) – Prof. Soumitra Satapathi’s team achieved a record 30% efficiency using four-terminal tandem perovskite–silicon solar cells, marking one of the highest in Asia. The project’s potential scalability positions India ahead of global competitors like China and Korea.
2. IIT Bombay & NCPRE – The National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) developed indigenous tandem perovskite modules exceeding 28% efficiency. This lab-to-market model is being aggressively supported under MNRE and RE-RTD schemes.
3. ARCI Hyderabad – The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) successfully created carbon-based stable perovskite solar cells that resist heat, moisture, and UV degradation—solving one of the biggest durability challenges.
4. IIT BHU Startup “P3C Technologies” – India’s first perovskite solar manufacturing firm, founded by Sooraj Kumar, scaled production from prototype to megawatt-level manufacturing lines within six years. The company’s printed perovskite modules are poised for export by 2026.
5. Art-PV India (IIT Bombay incubation) – Supported by a $10 million MNRE grant, Art-PV focuses on mass-producing high-efficiency tandem modules, creating domestic competition for silicon industries.
Silicon–Perovskite Tandem Cells: The Game-Changer
Tandem solar cells combine the strengths of silicon and perovskite layers—each tuned to absorb different wavelengths of sunlight for maximum efficiency.
| Type | Efficiency Range | Manufacturing Cost (per watt) | Key Features |
| Crystalline Silicon | 20–22% | ₹22–₹25 | Mature, stable, heavy |
| Perovskite Single Layer | 22–24% | ₹14–₹16 | Flexible, lightweight |
| Perovskite–Silicon Tandem | 28–30%+ | ₹18–₹20 | Dual absorption, scalable |
This innovation could push India’s solar module efficiency beyond global standards while creating a lower manufacturing cost structure—a critical competitive advantage for exports.
Economic and Industrial Impact for India
1. Boosting Domestic Manufacturing
India imported over $4.3 billion of solar modules in 2024, primarily from China. Perovskites allow India to leapfrog directly into new-generation solar technologies, bypassing decades of semiconductor limitations. Indigenous manufacturing aligns with the “Make in India” mission by reducing costs and creating skilled jobs in material engineering, nanotechnology, and solar coatings.
2. Lowering Costs for Consumers
The lightweight and scalable nature of perovskite films enables BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaic) applications, such as solar windows and façades. These installations could reduce solar system costs by up to 30% compared to traditional crystalline modules.
3. Export Opportunities
With efficiency rates nearing 30%, Indian perovskite modules can capture global markets, including Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, where cost-efficient, high-performing photovoltaics are in demand.
4. Rural Electrification
Flexible perovskite films can be transported easily and installed on modular platforms, enabling off-grid solarization of India’s remote villages—aligning with schemes under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Environmental Advantages
- Lower Carbon Footprint:
Manufacturing process requires less furnace energy, reducing lifecycle emissions by up to 70% compared to silicon. - Recyclability:
New water-based recycling methods allow safe extraction of rare metals from old modules, minimizing e-waste. - Sustainability:
Emerging tin-based perovskite variants aim to eliminate lead completely from future designs, ensuring eco-friendly production.
Challenges and Roadblocks
1. Stability Issues:
Perovskite materials are sensitive to moisture, oxygen, and temperature fluctuations, which can cause degradation. India’s humid and hot climates make field durability critical.
2. Toxicity Concerns:
Most commercial prototypes rely on lead-halide compounds, necessitating careful encapsulation to prevent leakage.
3. Scale-Up Barriers:
Mass production requires uniform coating processes and reliable encapsulation to maintain efficiency across large modules.
4. Policy and Investment Gap:
While prototype funding is robust, India needs large-scale manufacturing subsidies like the PLI Scheme 2.0 to push commercialization.
Global Context and India’s Opportunity
Globally, countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, and the U.K. are heavily investing in perovskite research. Companies like Oxford PV and Saule Technologies already manufacture pilot-scale tandem modules. Yet India’s advantage lies in lower R&D costs, abundant sunlight, and young scientific talent.
If successful, the perovskite transition would place India among the top five solar technology exporters by 2030.
Future Outlook: India’s Road to Commercialization
Projected Timeline (2025–2030):
| Year | Key Development |
| 2025 | Prototype manufacturing by IIT-led startups; MNRE-backed pilot installations |
| 2026 | Establishment of large-scale perovskite module production lines |
| 2027 | Integration into national solar parks (Omkareshwar and Pavagada) |
| 2028–29 | Export of hybrid tandem modules under “Made in India Solar” |
| 2030 | India achieves multi-GW perovskite manufacturing capacity |
FAQs
1. Why are perovskite solar cells called the future of solar energy?
Because of their high efficiency, low production cost, and flexible design, they outperform silicon panels and revolutionize renewable energy.
2. Are perovskite solar panels environmentally safe?
Current research focuses on lead-free compositions and encapsulation to ensure safety and longevity.
3. What efficiency do India’s new perovskite cells achieve?
IIT Roorkee’s latest tandem model achieved a record 30% power conversion efficiency.
4. When will perovskite modules be commercially available in India?
Mass production is expected to begin by 2026–2027, starting with P3C and Art-PV manufacturing units.
5. How do they support India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission?
By enabling indigenous clean energy manufacturing, reducing imports, and creating high-tech jobs in renewable R&D.
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Conclusion
Perovskite solar cells signify more than a scientific breakthrough—they represent the industrial evolution of India’s renewable sector. By blending innovation with indigenous research, India is transforming from a solar importer to a solar innovator.
As IIT-led research matures into scalable production and startups like P3C and Art-PV enter the global market, Perovskite technology turns India’s clean energy vision into a manufacturing reality. With government support and robust R&D linkages, India’s 500 GW renewable dream is no longer just a policy—it’s a shining future powered by perovskites.