IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the largest American photovoltaic (PV) solar manufacturer, First Solar.
A press release from IITMRP noted that the two organisations intend to cooperate on a range of R&D activities, including the localisation of supply chains in India of thin film and other next-generation PV technologies, high-volume manufacturing, testing of PV modules, and high-value recycling.
Interestingly, in 2021, First Solar announced that it would invest in a new fully vertically integrated thin-film solar manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu with an annual capacity of 3.3 gigawatts. The facility, located in Pillaipakkam, near Chennai, is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2023.
Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President, IITMRP, IITM Incubation Cell & RTBI, said, “First Solar has demonstrated the potential of thin film to counter China’s dominance of crystalline silicon with high performance solar panels that are competitive, sustainable, and responsibly produced.”
Kuntal Kumar Verma, Chief Manufacturing Officer, First Solar, noted that the MoU covers a number of areas that directly support India’s decarbonisation, energy independence, and sustainability goals.
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