"ADVANCEMENTS IN SOLAR PANEL EFFICIENCY IN INDIA: TECHNOLOGY TRANSITIONS, POLICY DRIVERS, AND PERFORMANCE (2015–2025)"

India’s solar sector expanded from nascent scale to a global top-three market by 2025, propelled by technological shifts from p‑type PERC to n‑type TOPCon and HJT, domestic manufacturing incentives, and stronger quality regulation. This paper synthesizes peer‑reviewed evidence, industry reports, and government data (2015–2025) to examine how module and system‑level efficiency improved in Indian conditions. We analyze technology characteristics (cell architecture, passivation, bifaciality, temperature coefficients), balance‑of‑system (BOS) drivers (inverters, trackers), policy levers (PLI, ALMM, customs duties), and climatic factors (high irradiance, high temperatures, soiling). Findings indicate: (i) commercial module nameplate efficiencies advanced from ~16–18% (multi‑Si, early PERC) to ~21–23% (n‑type TOPCon/HJT) by 2024–2025; (ii) field energy yield per kWp rose via bifacial adoption, single‑axis trackers in utility plants, improved inverters/MPPT granularity, and O&M digitalization; and (iii) policy instruments accelerated diffusion of high‑efficiency modules and localization of advanced cell lines. We outline implications for LCOE reduction in India and provide a 2025–2030 roadmap.