Photovoltaics in India-Thrust on Research and Education

Photovoltaics has registered an impressive growth despite the vicissitudes of the sixty years since the first solar cell was developed at the BELL LABS in 1954. It is a defining moment for the PV Industry today as costs are coming down with economies of scale and the need for clean and green energy is gathering momentum. This paper reviews some of the recent trends in photovoltaic technology, the research initiatives in India and also how the academia in our country is gearing up to meet the objectives enunciated in the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission document in terms of training, curriculum development and research in collaboration with the Industry. The ultimate aim is to ensure energy sufficiency, energy security and reliability.