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.