Technology Outline (Process Description)

India was lacking expertise in indigenous manufacturing of 3^rd generation photovoltaic technologies. Previously, those seek- ing such facilities had to rely on foreign technologies, resulting in costly imports. However, we have made remarkable strides in bridging this gap at CSIR-NIIST. We accomplished this feat by establishing India’s first indigenous module fabrication line for dye-sensitized solar modules in partnership with the industry. This remarkable achievement was commissioned in October 2018 and subsequently licensed to Elixir Technologies, based in Bangalore, for further commercialization in October 2019. Funding for this ground breaking project was generously provided by the Department of Science and Technology-Solar Ener- gy Research Initiative (DST-SERI), and it was also classified as a high-priority implementation initiative by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The unique development achieved through this endeavour has been thoroughly evaluated and ranked TRL 7 by CSIR HQ, demonstrating the significant technological advancement it represents. Beyond establishing the pilot line facility, CSIR-NIIST has embarked on an interdisciplinary journey, harmonizing the disciplines of Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering nurturing a complete supply chain within the domain of DSCs. Moreover, we have dedicated ourselves to training numerous Ph.D. students and project fellows, thereby fortifying the knowledge base and expertise in this specialized area. Our com- mitment lies in delivering truly indigenous equipment and turnkey solutions for 3^rd generation photovoltaic technologies, thereby revolutionizing the industry landscape in India.