Green energy conversion & storage for solving India's energy problem through innovation in ultra large scale manufacturing and advanced research of solid state devices and systems

The shortage of cheap and abundant energy in India is currently a major roadblock in achieving higher economic growth. Free fuel based solar and wind energy sources can provide sustained economic growth. Lack of understanding regarding the role of photovoltaics (PV) as a major current and future energy conversion technology by policy makers and top businessmen in India is a fundamental roadblock in the large scale implementation of PV. With major innovations in energy policy, large scale manufacturing of PV modules and related systems in India, and the use of a vertically integrated business model, PV electricity can be generated at the cost of Rs. 5/kWh in India today. In addition to novel applications of PV in transport sector and water lifting for irrigation and drinking, appropriate research directions in solid-state energy conversion and storage devices (solar cells, inverters, light emitting diodes, thermoelectric devices, and solid-state capacitors) and related systems are presented.

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