Under the MoU, CEA will share their know-how and technologies in the field of solar energy, storage, smart grid and thermal efficiency while Vikram Solar will apply these technologies in large volume manufacturing with a wider objective of improving solar photovoltaic cells and modules to perform at record-efficiency in energy conversion and simultenaously developping battery solutions by increasing their energy storage capacity. Other advanced research and development areas of collaboration will include crystallization and wafering, mono and bi-facial modules, Agri-photovoltaics, Solar mobility etc. as well as exploring new competitive materials in order to reduce costs.
Mr. Gyanesh Chaudhary, MD & CEO, Vikram Solar Limited, shared on the occasion, “Vikram Solar has always been at the forefront of innovation through research and development that helps India grow and develop and be a more sustainable nation. Our association with CEA will strengthen our focus on newer technology and in turn increase opportunity for both parties to work towards a more sustainable and efficient ecosystem.”
Mr Christophe Gégout, Deputy Chairman of the CEA, in charge of solar international cooperations, commented, “Our association with Vikram Solar comes at a time when the need for renewables is at an all time high in India as well as globally. This is a perfect time for us to leverage our strength in research and development and fuse it with Vikram Solar’s long standing position as a leading global solar module player with key focus on quality, technology and innovation.”
The CEA carries out research on thermal and photovoltaic solar energy, in support of industrial companies in the sector. In the field of solar thermal energy, the CEA has, within the National Institute of Solar Energy (INES), an R&D platform dedicated to the optimisation of solar thermal systems. The CEA also carries out research on the production of electricity using a thermodynamic process known as concentrating solar power technology. In the field of photovoltaics, the CEA’s research is focusing on improving the output and reducing the costs of photovoltaic modules, and also anticipating the problems of integration in the grid which will arise following a massive insertion of renewables in the energy mix. This work, carried out at INES, makes use of its technological platform to manufacture cells and modules and its software platform to simulate the behaviour of a future grid with renewable energy sources, as well as storage and consumption equipments.
About Vikram Solar Limited
Vikram Solar Limited (formerly known as Vikram Solar Pvt. Ltd.) is a leading solar energy solutions provider, specializing in efficient PV module manufacturing and comprehensive EPC solutions. With international presence in 5 continents, the Company is an active contributor in shaping the solar revolution across continents. Carrying forward the extensive manufacturing experience of the Vikram Group, Vikram Solar, since 2006, is building on a 4-decade-old success story.
Vikram Solar’s annual PV Module production capacity stands at 1 GW. The Company’s products comply with the international standards of quality, reliability and performance. As a fully forward- integrated Solar EPC solutions provider, Vikram Solar deploys world- class technology to design, install and commission solar projects worldwide. About CEA
The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission (CEA, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives) is a public research agency involved in four major fields: defence and security, nuclear and renewable energy, technological research for industry and fundamental research. With 16,000 researchers and employees, it is a major player in European research and enjoys a growing presence on the world scene.
The activities of CEA-Liten, the technology research institute at CEA Tech dedicated to new energy technologies, are focusing on four key areas: solar energy, batteries, hydrogen and fuel cells, and advanced materials, addressing electricity production, building, transport and mobile electronics as main markets. Its R&D activities for solar technologies are the heart of INES, a major European center dedicated to research, innovation and training on solar energy.