IIT Bombay Develops 30 Percent Efficient Tandem Solar Cell, Aiming to Cut Power Costs

Rearchers at IIT Bombay have developed a tandem solar cell with a power conversion efficiency of nearly 30 percent, significantly higher than the current industry average of around 20 percent.

The breakthrough could boost solar panel efficiency by 25–30 percent compared to traditional technologies, and potentially slash the cost of solar electricity to just INR 1 per kilowatt-hour, down from the prevailing INR 2.5–INR 4 per unit.

This innovation is being advanced in collaboration with ART-PV India Pvt Ltd, a startup incubated at IIT Bombay, and the Government of Maharashtra. The research team aims to deliver a commercially viable solution by the end of 2027, with the new solar cell expected to be as small and thin as a silicon wafer.

Commenting on the commercial potential, Praveen Pardeshi, Chief Economic Advisor to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said the state utility Mahagenco has been tasked with exploring deployment opportunities for the technology. He added that the innovation could significantly reduce India’s reliance on imported raw materials, particularly from China.

If successful, the tandem solar cell technology could mark a transformative shift in India’s solar power landscape, enhancing domestic capabilities and reinforcing the country’s commitment to clean energy.