The Indian government is funding research at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and state-owned engineering firm Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to develop high-efficiency solar cells even as it is coming up with a production-linked incentive scheme to incentivize manufacturing of such cells.
BHEL
Research teams at these institutions are developing crystalline silicon solar cells with an efficiency of a minimum 21%, in addition to roll-to-roll perovskite solar cells.
Power Minister told parliament in response to a query that Ministry has provided funding support for developing crystalline silicon solar cell with targeted efficiency of 22% to National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay; roll-to-roll perovskite solar cells to IIT Bombay; and PERC solar cells with targeted efficiency of 21% to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Gurugram.
To attract investments in the solar manufacturing sector, a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Cell and a Project Development Cell have been created in the MNRE.
Further, to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports, the Government has approved the introduction of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in ten sectors, including high-efficiency solar PV modules.The scheme provides an INR 4,500-crore funding for high-efficiency solar modules.
