IIT-Bombay Incubated Art-PV to Set Up $10 Million Solar Cell Plant with MNRE Funding
Art-PV India, an innovative startup incubated at IIT-Bombay, is making significant strides in the field of solar energy. The company has announced plans to establish a $10 million solar cell fabrication plant at the prestigious institute, with substantial funding from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This ambitious project promises to bolster India’s renewable energy sector, providing a new, high-efficiency solar technology that has the potential to revolutionise solar power generation.
The plant will focus on manufacturing commercial tandem solar cells, an advanced technology developed by Art-PV that achieves a remarkable 29.8% conversion efficiency, far surpassing the 23% efficiency of traditional photovoltaic (PV) cells. The innovative tandem solar cells use a multi-layered structure with a silicon base and perovskite-structured material, coupled with cadmium telluride (CdTe). This unique design allows the cells to capture a broader spectrum of light wavelengths, thus significantly improving energy conversion. The introduction of tandem solar cells represents a major leap forward in the solar energy industry. While perovskite materials are known for their efficiency, they have faced challenges in terms of stability. Art-PV has addressed these challenges by integrating perovskite onto a commercially available silicon cell, creating a reliable and efficient solar cell that combines the best of both technologies. For Art-PV, this is more than just a technological breakthrough—it is a step towards transforming the solar energy landscape. The company’s tandem solar cells are currently at an advanced Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, which means that the technology is at the prototype demonstration stage. The next step will be a 2 MW pilot plant at IIT-Bombay, which will help bring the technology to market and scale it for commercial use.
Art-PV is not alone in this venture. The startup has partnered with two leading solar manufacturers, First Solar and Waaree, to help develop and commercialise the new technology. First Solar, which operates a thin-film PV plant near Chennai, and Waaree, a specialist in crystalline silicon-based PV cells, will provide the expertise and resources needed to bring Art-PV’s tandem cells to the commercial market. In return, these companies will receive preferential licensing rights to the new technology. The collaboration with industry giants like First Solar and Waaree is pivotal to Art-PV’s success. Their involvement will help accelerate the adoption of the new technology, making it accessible to a wider market and helping India move closer to its renewable energy goals.
The development of this $10 million fabrication plant and the partnership with solar manufacturers underscores India’s commitment to advancing its renewable energy sector. The tandem solar cells produced at this facility could play a crucial role in meeting India’s energy demands in a more sustainable way, helping the country reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. For local communities and the broader economy, this project promises job creation and a boost to the solar manufacturing ecosystem. It also aligns with India’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in clean energy, with the government actively pushing for greater investment in renewable energy technologies. Art-PV’s innovative approach to solar energy, combined with the backing of MNRE and key industry players, is set to drive India’s transition to greener energy solutions. As the solar cell plant begins its operations at IIT-Bombay, it will not only contribute to advancing solar technology but also help foster a sustainable energy future for India and beyond.