The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), hosted an important online webinar, focusing on the future of solar technology. The event, titled “Research and Development activities in advanced Photovoltaic (PV) technologies, especially focusing on solar cell engineering,” brought together representatives from academic institutions, research organizations, industry, and government agencies. The discussion aimed to explore the latest research, technological innovations, and policy measures needed to strengthen India’s domestic solar industry and enhance self-reliance in renewable energy.
A significant part of the webinar focused on the roadmap for solar cell technology and its evolution toward higher efficiency. Currently, the P-MONO PERC cell, which uses a single homogeneous junction, is widely used in the industry but has reached a practical efficiency limit of about 23.5%. To achieve higher performance, the industry is now moving toward N-Type cell structures.
The first phase of this evolution includes N-MONO TOPCON (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) and TBC (Tunnel-Bypass-Contact) cells. These technologies still rely on a single homogeneous junction but increase the maximum theoretical efficiency to around 26.5%. Further advancements are represented by N-MONO HJT (Heterojunction) and HBC (Heterojunction Back Contact) cells. These use a single heterojunction design and can reach efficiencies up to 27%, offering incremental improvements over previous models.
The most promising developments, however, lie in multi-junction solar cells, particularly Perovskite Tandem technology. This next-generation design stacks multiple layers of light-absorbing materials to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight. Such multi-junction architectures have the potential to exceed 33% efficiency, representing a major leap in power generation. These high-efficiency cells can reduce the land area needed for solar farms and lower overall solar energy costs, making them a critical focus for future research and development.
The webinar also highlighted global trends in high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing capacity. In 2023, the estimated global cell capacity was 655 gigawatts (GW). This figure is projected to rise sharply to 988 GW in 2024 and exceed one terawatt, reaching 1,139 GW, by the end of 2025. The growth is expected to continue with capacities of 1,218 GW in 2026, 1,273 GW in 2027, and 1,323 GW by 2028. These figures reflect strong global confidence and investment in N-Type and tandem cell technologies, signaling a shift away from older PERC designs.
In addition to technology and manufacturing, the webinar discussed new PV materials, advanced production techniques, and policy frameworks essential to support this rapid scaling. The comprehensive nature of the discussions covered every aspect of solar research, from the atomic structure of new materials to gigawatt-scale production planning.
The report, issued by the CEA on October 9, 2025, serves as a guiding document for future research and investment strategies. It emphasizes the nation’s and the global community’s commitment to developing solar power as a reliable and self-sufficient energy source. With continued innovation in N-Type and tandem solar technologies, India is well-positioned to play a leading role in the global solar energy landscape while advancing toward higher efficiency, sustainability, and energy security.
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