BRIN studies next-generation solar panels to boost energy independence

3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is studying the potential for domestic manufacturing of next-generation solar panels to accelerate renewable energy development and strengthen the country’s energy independence.

Researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Energy Conversion Technology (PRTKE) Oo Abdul Rosyid said in Jakarta on Tuesday that solar panel technology is advancing rapidly, with the global market beginning to shift from conventional silicon-based technology to higher-efficiency technologies such as Silicon Heterojunction (SHJ/HJT) and perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaic (PV).

“SHJ technology has demonstrated efficiency of more than 27 percent, while perovskite-silicon tandem technology has the potential to achieve efficiency exceeding 30 percent at the laboratory scale,” Rosyid said.

He said both technologies not only offer higher efficiency but also maintain strong performance under high temperatures, making them well suited for tropical countries such as Indonesia.

Rosyid said Indonesia has significant market potential for solar panels, ranging from rooftop installations and utility-scale solar power plants to floating solar power plants on lakes and reservoirs.

He added that domestic solar module assembly capacity has continued to expand significantly, although most key components, including solar cells and input raw materials, still rely on imports.

Based on its research findings and collaboration experience in Germany, BRIN sees a strategic opportunity for Indonesia’s industry to make a technological leap.

Rather than remaining dependent on older technologies that are gradually being phased out in the global market, Indonesia has the opportunity to take part directly in the supply chain for next-generation solar panel manufacturing, Rosyid said.

“The development of HJT technology is an important stepping stone toward the future of the tandem solar panel industry. By building these next-generation manufacturing capabilities, we can become not only a consumer or a market, but also an independent producer of efficient, resource-saving, and globally competitive solar panels,” he said.

Rosyid said his research conducted at Germany’s Forschungszentrum Julich (FZJ) is expected to serve as the basis for developing Indonesia’s national roadmap for next-generation solar technology.

The study is also expected to produce strategic recommendations for the government and industry to accelerate the development of a comprehensive domestic solar panel manufacturing ecosystem.

“In the future, mastering next-generation solar panel technology is expected to accelerate Indonesia’s green energy independence while delivering tangible economic benefits to the public,” Rosyid said.