Technology shift in the solar industry has been taking place rapidly across the globe, but India, a notoriously cost-sensitive market, has been slow to adapt and accept newer products.

Higher efficiency products are gaining market share, and costs are dropping quickly. The newer products are not only more efficient, but their benefits include longevity and the ability to reduce BoS (balance of system) costs. In India, the price differential between polycrystalline and monocrystalline continues to decline, and the shift is well underway.

Goodbye Polycrystalline Solar Modules, Hello Mono PERC, HJT, Bifacial

Mercom India recently interviewed CEA’s Director of Technology and Quality, George Touloupas, for his take on the recent trends.

“The solar industry has almost entirely moved away from the polycrystalline, and polycrystalline passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) based cells to more efficient monocrystalline cells, and more recently, monocrystalline PERC, also called Mono PERC.

‘The fundamental nature of PV technology is such that higher efficiencies ultimately result in lower costs, so, eventually, with mass volumes and competition, high-efficiency modules will be priced at the same level or even lower than the conventional ones,’ said George Touloupas.

‘About three years ago, radical technology changes started being introduced, initially gradually, like PERC cells and bifacial modules, and currently at a breathtaking rate, where all major suppliers are announcing big wafers, half-cut cells, multiple busbars, and dense interconnection technologies, like shingling or tiling, as well high-efficiency cells, such as TOPCon and heterojunction, frequently at the same time,’ Touloupas noted.’

What is Hindering Adoption in India?

The biggest hurdles for the Indian market still lie in the policy and regulatory environment and the fact that India is a cost-sensitive market. Redundant processes, certifications, and approvals add to the overall costs, slowing down innovation and adoption of new technology and leaving the country lagging behind others in terms of technology acceptance.

‘Markets like Europe, US, and Japan, where labor and land costs and power purchase agreement (PPA) prices are higher were the first to adopt these technologies, but all markets, including India, are eventually catching up, as the cost gaps and price premiums between these advanced technologies and the conventional ones are quickly shrinking,” Touloupas added.”

Read the full article in Mercom India here.