By Suhas Donthi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Emmvee Group
As the world races to transition to clean energy, solar power is becoming a pillar of global energy transformation. At the centre of this transition is solar photo voltaic (PV) technology, which is continually improving to become more efficient, cost-effective and scalable. For India, with one of the world’s largest solar potentials and ambitious clean energy goals, the advent and rise of next-generation solar PV technologies present both immense opportunities and significant challenges.
Present landscape: What powers today’s solar modules
The solar PV market today is dominated by silicon-based technologies, particularly passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) modules. They are widely used due to their high efficiency (up to 23.8 per cent) and compatibility with existing manufacturing infrastructure. PERC modules represent more than 70 per cent of the solar modules produced in India.
Following them are tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cells, a more advanced iteration of PERC that can achieve efficiencies above 26 per cent by minimising electron recombination. Several Indian manufacturers are now shifting to TOPCon due to its superior long-term performance and reliability.
Heterojunction technology (HJT), which combines crystalline silicon wafers with amorphous silicon layers, is being recognised for its potential to deliver efficiencies ranging from 25 per cent to 26.5 per cent. However, high production costs and reliance on scarce materials such as indium and silver remain key obstacles.
An emerging technology is tandem solar cells, particularly those combining silicon with perovskite layers. They have already achieved efficiencies greater than 28 per cent in laboratory settings and represent the future of solar technology. Nonetheless, issues around stability, toxicity (due to lead content) and large-scale production still need to be resolved.
India’s solar surge: Trends and uptake
India is experiencing a record-breaking solar boom. As of May 2025, the country’s installed solar capacity had reached nearly 110 GW and is a major component of its non-fossil power mix. The government aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, with around 280 GW set for solar power.
To meet this ambitious goal, domestic production is growing rapidly. India currently has around 80 GW of module capacity and 15 GW of cell manufacturing capacity. It is expected to reach 160 GW of module capacity and 120 GW of cell capacity by 2030. Companies such as Emmvee, Tata Power Solar, Vikram Solar, Waaree, Adani, and Reliance are leading this effort, introducing advanced technologies and establishing integrated manufacturing units.
India’s increasing solar exports to the US and other markets also indicates a shift towards the country becoming a global solar hub, provided the right technologies and policy environment are in place.
Enhancing efficiency: The next frontier
Improving efficiency remains critical for solar manufacturers and researchers. Here is how the industry is navigating this space:
- Next-generation architectures: Technologies such as TOPCon, HJT and perovskite-silicon tandems promise efficiencies of 28-30 per cent, compared to the 22-23 per cent limit of traditional PERC modules.
- Advanced cooling techniques: Solar panels lose efficiency as they heat up. Innovations such as passive cooling systems, phase-change materials and water-air hybrids help mitigate heat-related losses and enhance performance.
- Material substitution: Replacing expensive and scarce materials like silver and indium with alternatives such as copper and earth-abundant elements can reduce costs and improve scalability.
- Automation and larger wafers: The use of larger wafers (like M10 or G12) and laser-enhanced manufacturing techniques increases production efficiency and lowers per-watt costs.
Domestic manufacturing: Progress and gaps
While India’s module manufacturing capacity is expanding, its cell-to-module ratio remains low, and critical upstream inputs like polysilicon, wafers and ingots are still largely imported.
The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) have supported capacity building. However, an integrated value chain from quartz mining to wafer and cell manufacturing is still in the making. India has begun producing polysilicon domestically, but vertical integration is still a few years away.
Another challenge lies in the geographic dispersion of manufacturers, which adds logistical costs and limits ecosystem synergy. There is a growing consensus that India should adopt cluster-based development models, as seen in its automotive and semiconductor sectors.
Challenges faced
Despite strong growth, Indian solar manufacturers face several structural challenges:
- Skilled workforce shortage: The industry will require 1.7 million solar professionals by 2027. Current training programmes like Suryamitra need to be significantly scaled up and modernised.
- Grid and land constraints: Inadequate transmission infrastructure and complex land acquisition procedures delay the development of solar parks. Distributed solar projects also struggle with net metering and discom compliance issues.
- Low tariffs and financing barriers: Reverse auctions result in low tariffs, compressing developer margins and discouraging investment in innovative technologies.
- Supply chain vulnerabilities: Continued reliance on imported wafers, glass and specialty gases exposes the industry to price volatility and geopolitical risks.
- E-waste regulation gaps: With solar panels having a lifespan of 25-30 years, India is projected to generate over 1.8 million tonnes of solar PV waste by 2050. A formal recycling policy is urgently required.
Policy recommendations
To sustain and scale the growth of solar PV technologies in India, the following policy interventions are necessary:
- Skill development programmes: Expand and standardise solar technician training to meet current and future workforce demands.
- Increased R&D funding: Invest more in solar research and development (R&D) through institutions like the National Institute of Solar Energy and IITs and promote global technology partnerships.
- Incentives across the value chain: Extend PLI benefits to include polysilicon, wafers and ingots, not just cells and modules.
- E-waste management policy: Establish a regulatory framework for PV module recycling and incentivise recycling infrastructure.
- Stable policy environment: Maintain consistency and clarity in ALMM guidelines, import duties and net metering regulations.
- Innovative financing support: Offer low-interest loans, rooftop solar subsidies and green bond mechanisms to encourage both utility-scale and residential adoption.
The road ahead: India’s solar future
India’s solar journey stands at a transformative point. With emerging technologies like TOPCon, HJT and perovskite-silicon tandems poised to redefine efficiency standards, the country has a rare opportunity to leap into the next era of solar power leadership. Government policy is moving in the right direction, domestic manufacturing is maturing and the appetite for innovation is steadily growing.
But to truly lead the global solar race, India must build a resilient and self-reliant ecosystem that is rich not only in capacity but also in technology, talent and sustainability.
With the right blend of innovation, investment and policy intent, India is well on its way to becoming a global powerhouse in solar PV technology.
