Indosol Solar Private Limited, a subsidiary of Shirdi Sai Electricals (SSEL) Group, announced on Tuesday that it has signed a collaboration agreement with The Australian National University (ANU) to fast-track the development and commercial scale-up of next-generation Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) silicon solar cell technologies.

Facilitated by the India Australia technology commercialisation challenge pilot programme, the partnership bridges photovoltaics research at ANU with Indosol Solar’s giga-scale solar PV manufacturing plant near Ramayapatnam Port in Chevuru village of Gudluru mandal in Prakasam district.

Together, the two entities will co-develop advanced TOPCon cell architectures designed to achieve higher conversion efficiencies, improved degradation resistance, resulting in lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for global solar deployments. ANU researchers will work alongside Indosol’s process teams to optimise manufacturing processes for advanced N-type TOPCon solar cells.

Speaking on the occasion, Indosol Solar chief operating officer (COO) Balachander Krishnan said, “The company is committed to building a world-class, fully integrated solar manufacturing ecosystem in India. Tie up with the ANU enables us to stay at the absolute forefront of TOPCon and next-generation solar technologies, delivering ultra-high-efficiency modules to domestic and international markets.”

Meanwhile, ANU lead photovoltaic researchers Rabin Basnet and Marco Ernst said, “Our team has a long history of driving silicon solar efficiency breakthroughs that define the global market. Partnering with Indosol Solar allows us to translate cutting-edge TOPCon innovation directly into gigawatt-scale production, ensuring high-efficiency technology makes a tangible impact on Indian PV market.”