The Hindu argued on 13 November 2026 that potent perovskites demand India make a domestic manufacturing push. Perovskite solar cells offer higher efficiency potential, lightweight structures, low-temperature processing and lower manufacturing energy needs than conventional silicon cells. The realistic next step is a TOPCon-perovskite tandem that layers perovskite on top of silicon cells. For India, perovskite solar manufacturing is the gap between a strong solar market and a domestic supply chain for the next generation of cells.
India is the world’s third-largest solar market, with installed solar capacity above 150 GW and a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030. The country has about 228 GW of module and 36.86 GW of cell capacity under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s September 2026 ALMM update. TOPCon accounts for more than 70% of module capacity. A perovskite solar push would build on that base, adding a new layer of technology to lines that already make silicon cells.
Perovskite solar deals signed in July
Two 5 GW deals were signed in July 2026. Rayzon Solar signed with US-based Caelux Corporation, and Navitas Solar signed with Caelux, both five-year partnerships to make hybrid perovskite-silicon (perovskite-TOPCon) modules in India. The modules aim for efficiencies of up to 28%, with commercial production targeted by 2028. Rayzon plans to integrate the technology into its 11.3 GW bifacial module platform, with facilities at Kim and Kosamba in Surat district, Gujarat. The perovskite solar deals give India its first large-scale route into tandem modules.
Public money and current capacity
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has earmarked Rs 200 crore under the RE-RTD Programme (2026-2031) for perovskite PV pilot lines and research and development. The money is aimed at pilot lines and research, the stage before full commercial production. India has about 228 GW of module capacity and 36.86 GW of cell capacity under the September 2026 ALMM update, and TOPCon accounts for more than 70% of module capacity. Perovskite solar pilot lines would test tandem production on that base.
The tandem layers perovskite on top of silicon cells, and the hybrid perovskite-silicon modules from the July deals aim for up to 28% efficiency. TOPCon-perovskite tandems are the realistic next step because they add perovskite to silicon lines India already runs at scale. The July deals target commercial production by 2028, and the RE-RTD money runs from 2026 to 2031. The two deals and the public funds both point to tandem modules as the path for India.
The RE-RTD Programme runs from 2026 to 2031, and the Rs 200 crore earmarked for perovskite PV pilot lines and research and development sits inside it. The pilot lines are the step before commercial production, and the July deals target commercial production by 2028. India has about 228 GW of module capacity and 36.86 GW of cell capacity, and TOPCon accounts for more than 70% of module capacity.
Perovskite solar startups and the 2030 target
P3C Technology, a perovskite solar startup from Manesar, Haryana, founded in 2019, has moved from lab cells to modules over a foot across and a 1 kW pilot producing about 6.4-6.5 units a day. The startup targets 20-21% efficiency for two-foot by four-foot modules and production from 2028. Gautam Mohanka of Gautam Solar expects tandem cell efficiency to reach 30% and commercial module efficiency to reach 25-27%. Samir Mehta of Zuvay Technologies said the TOPCon-perovskite tandem is moving from lab and pilot scale towards industrial demonstration.
Trade press also quoted Gyanesh Chaudhary of Vikram Solar on the tandem shift. The Hindu’s case is that India should make the technology at home rather than buy it in, and the July deals, the public funds and the startup work all point the same way. India is the world’s third-largest solar market, and its 2030 target is 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity. The perovskite solar push now has deals, funds and pilot lines behind it, with commercial production targeted by 2028.