Source: The post Efficient solar panels choices determine future of truly green fuels has been created, based on the article “Why the world needs better green technologies” published in “The Hindu” on 1st August 2025. Efficient solar panels choices determine future of truly green fuels.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. And Environment
Context: As the world accelerates its shift to sustainable energy and aims for net-zero goals, silicon photovoltaics dominate current solar solutions. However, concerns about their efficiency, land use, and indirect effects on green hydrogen and other clean fuels are prompting discussions on the need for more advanced and diverse energy technologies.
For detailed information on Fuelling a truly green transition read this article here
Limitations of Silicon Photovoltaics
- Origins and Present Dominance: Silicon solar panels, first developed in 1954 by Bell Labs and later adopted for terrestrial use, now dominate global solar installations. Around 80% of these panels are produced in China, with India having a growing domestic capacity of 6 GW.
- Efficiency Constraints: Current panels show 18–21% laboratory efficiency and 15–18% in-field performance. This lower efficiency means larger land areas are required to meet energy demands, making silicon photovoltaics less ideal in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive regions.
- Rising Energy Demand vs Solar Capacity: Despite widespread installation—4.45 TWh by end-2024—atmospheric CO₂ levels have continued rising (from 350 ppm in 1990 to 425 ppm in 2025). This indicates that the current renewable expansion is lagging behind growing energy needs.
Impact on Green Hydrogen and Derivatives
- Basics of Green Hydrogen: Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable electricity. It emits no greenhouse gases when used. However, producing it consumes more energy than it yields, raising efficiency concerns.
- Storage and Transport Challenges: Hydrogen’s low density makes storage and transport difficult, with high risks of leakage. To overcome this, it is often converted into green ammonia or methanol, which are easier to transport.
- Energy Penalty Across the Chain: Each step—electrolysis, conversion, transport, reconversion—adds energy cost. Since silicon photovoltaics start the chain with low efficiency, the net greenness of green hydrogen is reduced. Thus, the foundational inefficiency compromises the overall sustainability.
Exploring Next-Generation Alternatives
- Advanced Photovoltaics and Efficiency Gains: Other technologies, such as thin-film gallium arsenide cells, have achieved up to 47% efficiency and are nearing commercialization. Higher efficiency cells reduce land requirements and offer more energy output per unit area.
- Artificial Photosynthesis and Direct Fuel Creation: Scientists are developing artificial photosynthesis (APS) methods that mimic plants to create fuels directly from water, sunlight, and CO₂ or nitrogen. Though still in labs, APS holds promise for direct, low-impact fuel generation.
- RNBO and Global Innovation Trends: Europe is advancing ‘Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin’ (RNBO), which exclude biomass in favor of renewable energy and feedstocks. India, still dependent on imports for 85% of its energy needs, must explore similar innovation paths.
Strategic Pathways for India
- Energy Independence as a National Priority: Geopolitical conflicts and disrupted global supply chains make energy self-sufficiency crucial. Investing in diversified and efficient energy technologies is essential to secure India’s future.
- Public-Private R&D Push: India should enhance R&D spending in clean energy technologies through government and private partnerships. This includes support for high-efficiency solar cells, APS, and RNBO.
- Cost-Benefit of Prevention: Investing ₹1 crore in pollution prevention today could avert significantly higher future damage costs. Proactive innovation in energy is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic strategy.
Question for practice:
Discuss how the limitations of silicon photovoltaics affect the overall sustainability of green hydrogen and other clean fuels.
