No. 10/2(1)/2013-P&C (Vol.

II)
Government of India
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
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The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) invites applications, under its
National Solar Science Fellowship Programme from Scientists of India or of Indian origin
desirous of participating in cutting-edge research on critical issues related to solar energy in
collaboration with leading Institutes and Scientists in India and the World.
Number of fellowships available: upto 8
Duration: Three years (subject to satisfactory progress every year)
Fellowship: 1 lakh (net of tax per month)
Research grant: upto 15 lakh per annum
Contingency: upto 5 lakh per annum
The indicative list of the thrust areas of research to be supported under this Fellowship
Programme are as follows:
A) Solar Photovoltaic Energy
The key areas of R&D and technology development should be focused on development of (i)
poly silicon and other materials, (ii) efficient silicon solar cells, (III) thin films materials and solar
cell modules, (iv) concentrating PV systems, and (v) PV system design, with the objective of
significantly reducing the ratio of capital cost to conversion efficiency. The following are the
thrust areas for R&D support in solar photovoltaic technology:
Poly Silicon Material
i.

To undertake R&D to make poly silicon material using alternative methods (non -TCS)
to achieve direct electricity consumption of 125 kWh/Kg or lower. The process will be
scaled up to pilot plant production, based on process reactor, which can demonstrate a
capacity upto 100 TPA. The quality of poly silicon material produced at the pilot plant
will be suitable to make high efficiency (>15%) Silicon solar cells and combined trace
impurities of heavy metals, carbon and boron will be limited to ppb.
ii. To design, develop and demonstrate at pilot plant scale ( about 100 TPA) poly silicon
deposition reactors, based on traditional poly silicon deposition methods, to reduce the
energy consumption to less than 125 kWh/kg of poly silicon material produced with the
combined trace impurities of heavy metals, carbon and boron limited to ppb level.
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells & Modules
iii. To reduce the direct consumption of silicon wafer (3 gm per Wp) in commercial
production by reducing the wafer thickness and increasing the efficiency of crystalline
silicon solar cell to average 18% and more.
iv. To develop and produce multi crystalline silicon ingots/wafers and produce solar cells
with conversion efficiency of 17% and more in commercial production.
v. To undertake R&D on alternative device structures to make crystalline silicon solar cells
to demonstrate very efficiency (22-24% on small size laboratory devices).
vi. Improving the effective PV module life to 25 years and more, with total degradation
within 10% of the initial rating under STC.

vii. Design and development of low cost, Low weight, nonglass type PV modules with
effective module life of 10 years or more, with total degradation within 10% of the initial
rating under STC.
viii. Study and evaluate new materials for use in PV modules.
ix. To develop low resistance metal contact deposition materials and processes.
Thin Film Solar Cell Modules
x. To undertake R& D on different processes and device structures to make laboratory scale
small are (2cm X 2cm) devices of efficiency > 10% using CdTe, CIGS and silicon thin
films.
xi. Development of poly crystalline thin film integrated modules (1sq ft or more) at pilot
plant scale using different materials (CdTe, CIGS, silicon films ) to achieve efficiency of
>8% and life of integrated module >15 years.
New Materials based Solar Cells
Thin film modules based on organic materials, dye sensitized and doped with nano
materials to produce solar cells needs to be studies to
xii. study and characterize new materials to determine their suitability for fabrication of solar
cells.
xiii. design and development of new thin film device structures based on dye sensitized
(liquid and solid state) organic, carbon nano tubes, quantum dots etc. materials for
achieving a laboratory scale efficiency of 5-10%.
Concentrating Solar Cells & Modules
xiv. Design and development of concentrator solar cells (concentration ratio of 200 sun and
more) and modules (efficiency ~25-30%) and testing of concentrating PV system in
Indian conditions.
xv. Development of two axis tracking system suitable for high concentration PV system.
xvi. Design and development of heat-sink for mounting of solar cells under high
concentration.
xvii. Design and development of optical systems to achieve concentration ratio of 200 suns
and more, with minimum optical aberration.
xviii. Development of silicon and GaAs based solar cells suitable for use under high
concentration (200 sun or more).
Storage System
xix. Development of long life (5000 cycles or more) storage batteries suitable for use in PV
systems/applications.
xx. Development and testing of new storage systems up to MV scale to store electricity for
about 8-10 hours, with storage losses limited to about 10%.
Balance of system & PV Systems
xxi. Design and development of high efficiency (>50%) motor pump set of output power of 2
hp, 3 hp and 5 hp to lift water from depth of about 30-60 metres.
xxii. Design and development of small capacity inverter cum charge controller, with
efficiency of 90% or more, suitable for use in solar lighting systems including LED

xxiii.
xxiv.

xxv.
xxvi.

xxvii.

based lighting systems.

Design and development of LED based PV systems for indoor and outdoor lighting
applications.
Design, development and field-testing of inverters and grid synchronizing system
components (peak efficiency > 96% and at part load @ 30% efficiency >88%) used in
residential grid interactive roof top PV systems.
Field testing and performance evaluation of grid interactive rooftop residential PV
systems.
Design, development and testing of inverters and grid synchronizing system components
(peak efficiency>96% and at part laod @ 30% efficiency >88%) for large size (>500kWp
capacity) grid connected PV systems.
Field-testing and performance evaluation of grid interactive large size PV power plant.

Testing & Characterization Facilities

xxviii. Upgrading the testing characterization facilities for PV materials, devices, components,
modules and systems.
xxix. Setting up of testing facilities for concentrating PV systems.
xxx. Study and evaluate new material, device structures and module designs etc.
B) Solar Thermal Energy
a) Solar Thermal Power Generation
i. Parabolic Trough Technology: Design and development of parabolic trough collectors for
operating temperature range of about 400C with performance characteristics comparable
to internationally available technology.
ii. Central Receiver Technology:
Design, development and installation of 1-2 MW capacity solar thermal power plant
with molten salt as the heat transfer and storage medium.
Design and development of heliostats, tracking mechanism, tower structure, receiver
and storage medium, etc.
iii. Dish/ Engine Technology:
Design and development of large area solar dish with Stirling and other engines to
produce power in kW-range.
Design and development of dish/engine solar thermal power plants for distributed
generation in the capacity range of 100 kW and above. The target for levelized cost of
electricity generation is less than 15/kWh.
Design and development of sterling engines, having capacity in the kW range
(suitable for family, community and distributed power generation).
b) General: Quality of mirrors (for use as reflectors), solar receivers (to capture solar
radiation), and other components of the plant to enable to have life span of 20 years or more.
c) Solar Heat (upto 250C) for Industrial Processes:
Design and development of parabolic trough collectors for industrial process heat
applications with optical efficiency of greater than 70% and heat loss coefficient lower
than 1.0W/m2 K.

Development of advanced solar flat plate collectors with optical efficiency greater than
75% and overall heat loss coefficient lower than 3.0 W/m2K(or lower).

d) Low Temperature Applications:

i. Solar Distillation/Water Purification Systems: Design and development of solar distillation
unit of 1000 LPD capacity having daily yield greater than 4 litres per sq.m. of solar
collector to provide drinking water with brackish or saline water as the feed.
ii. Solar Cooling:
Design and development of a solar air conditioning system for residential
applications. The target cooling capacity is 5-10kW with a COP of 0.6 or higher.
Design and development of a double effect absorption chiller driven by high
efficiency concentrating solar collectors for institutional applications. The capacity of
these systems could be 15 kW and higher. The target COP is 1.2 or higher.
iii. Solar Detoxification of Wastes: Design and development of appropriate catalysts and
processes for solar detoxification of industrial wastes for reducing the costs and obtain
acceptable quality of regenerated waste for re-use and safe disposal of leftover residues.
iv. Solar thermal materials/devices:
Development of advanced glazing for windows for industrial production in the
country.
Development of advanced selective coatings suitable for applications in the
temperature range of 300-600C.
Development of polymer based low cost materials for various solar thermal
applications.
However, as this fellowship Programme is interested in people with unique ideas and
capable of thinking out of the box, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit proposals on any
new challenges/issues outside of this matrix but relating to the current environmental scenario of
the country/world, along with innovative, cost-effective, practicable implementable solutions to
such challenges. While it is not mandatory, it would be desirable if the applicant has already
carried out at least 10-20% of the research work proposed to be undertaken under the Fellowship
Programme.
All other details of the Fellowship Programme, including eligibility criteria, selection
procedure, Fellowship emoluments and other terms and conditions, etc, are given in the booklet
National Solar Sciences Fellows Programme, which is available in the website of the Ministry at
www.mnre.gov.in. The application has to be submitted in the prescribed pro forma (Annexure I)
and has to be accompanied by a short paper (not exceeding 3pages) on the applicants proposed
research proposal clearly identifying the new knowledge that it will help to generate along with a
summary of work already carried out by applicant in the area. Short-listed candidates shall be
invited for an interactive discussion with the Fellowship Management Committee constituted by
the Ministry under the National Solar Science Fellowship Programme. The application complete
in all respects should be sent by Registered/Speed Post only (not by courier service/in person) in a
confidential sealed envelope by 16th November, 2015 to the following address:
Director (HRD),
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,
Room No. 212, Block 14, CGO Complex,
Lodi Road, New Delhi -110003 (INDIA).

Annexure-1
Proforma
For submission of application under the
National Solar Science Fellowship Programme

1.

Name of the applicant:

2.

Date of Birth:

3.

If employed in GOI/StateGovt./Public Institution, name and address of the current employer

and salary drawn:

4.

Address for communication including (Phone, fax, mobile and email):

5.

Academic Background: (details from undergraduate level onwards may be provided

including name of Institutions/Universities, special achievements/distinctions obtained etc.)

6.

Area (s) of specialization:

7.

Details of Scientific/technical papers published in the relevant subject area: (only list to be
provided. Abstracts/full copies of papers need not be enclosed at this stage)

8.

Details of books published, if any: (only list to be provided)

9.

Details of films/audio-visuals produced, if any:

10. Details of original, innovative and pioneering research work carried out in the area mentioned
at S.No. 6 (up to one Page):

11. Details of research scholars successfully guided and those currently pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D
under your supervision:
12. Details of any awards/recognition received in the subject area at the national / international
level:

13. Please describe in your own words why you should be selected as a National Solar Science
Fellow and how the proposed research project will benefit the country in finding solutions to
the practical problems of solar energy science, engineering and technology and their
application at the field level: (up to one page)
14. Are you willing to give a commitment to work at the selected host institution(s) for the full
tenure of the fellowship granted and submit a bond in this regard to the host institution?

15. References: Please provide up to three (3) references with complete contact details.
16. Please indicate the proposed institution, group, professor with whom the project is to be
undertaken.

17. Project outline giving the specific problem to be addressed, its relevance, proposed,
methodology, outputs, timeline, financial proposal (for research grant i.e. 15 Lakh per
annum).

(Signature of the Applicant)