Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday reaffirmed the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) commitment to advancing next-generation renewable energy technologies in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Speaking during a visit to the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay, Joshi emphasized the importance of indigenous innovation to reduce dependency on imported technology and position India as a global leader in clean energy.
Highlighting MNRE’s continued support for premier research institutions like NCPRE and IIT Bombay, Joshi said such collaborations are strengthening India’s domestic R&D ecosystem and promoting homegrown manufacturing capabilities. “Through initiatives like the Renewable Energy Research & Technology Development (RE-RTD) program and dedicated R&D funding schemes, we are facilitating lab-to-market transitions for breakthrough technologies,” he said, according to a release from the ministry.
He lauded NCPRE’s achievements as a model of how publicly funded research, when backed by supportive policy frameworks, can fuel India’s rise as a clean energy hub. Joshi specifically encouraged the IIT Bombay-incubated ART-PV team to prove the commercial viability of Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, noting that scalability and profitability are key to transforming advanced research into real-world impact. “Making cutting-edge technology accessible to industry will not only improve energy efficiency but also strengthen our innovation ecosystem,” he added.
Joshi noted that this strategy aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader goal of transforming Indian R&D into a global benchmark. He referenced the recent Union Cabinet approval of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, which earmarks ₹1.27 lakh crore for Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD), underscoring the government’s deep investment in scientific advancement.
During his visit, Joshi toured several facilities at NCPRE, including the Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell Lab, the Silicon Fabrication Laboratory, and the Medium Voltage Laboratory. He also held interactive discussions with NCPRE investigators and members of its Advisory Board.
A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of a significant technological milestone by ART-PV India, a startup incubated at IIT Bombay. The company has developed a two-terminal monolithic Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell with a conversion efficiency of 29.8%, one of the highest levels achieved in the country. This achievement marks a major step forward in India’s solar technology capabilities.
Established in 2010 with support from MNRE, NCPRE was created to provide R&D and educational support for India’s ambitious 100 GW solar energy target. Over the past 15 years, the ministry has invested more than ₹200 crore in the centre.
MNRE is also supporting ART-PV India with $10 million (approximately ₹83 crore) to establish a state-of-the-art pilot manufacturing facility on the IIT Bombay campus. This initiative is part of the government’s broader objective to nurture domestic intellectual property and ensure Indian innovations are competitive in global markets.
“MNRE will continue to extend policy and financial support to ensure that India’s renewable energy sector is driven by innovation and self-reliance,” Joshi concluded.
