What Are High-Efficiency Solar Cells? Most Efficient Solar Panels and Top Brands Explained

High-efficiency solar cells are capable of converting a high amount of sunlight into usable DC output. The most efficient solar panels in India in 2025 that are commercially adopted include bifacial solar panels that use high-efficiency mono-PERC half-cut solar cells, reaching efficiency as high as 22.5%. 

Theoretically, multijunction solar cells have reached an efficiency of ~47% under concentrated sunlight and ~33.5% under standard conditions. However, these high-efficiency solar cells are still not used to build on-grid rooftop solar panel systems for homes, housing societies, and commercial buildings in India because they cost 2-2.5 times more than single-junction silicon solar panels.

The most advanced solar PV cells utilize materials like N-type silicon, heterojunction technology, and multi-junction designs. Yet, it’s the single-junction bifacial solar panels with Mono-PERC half-cut cells that offer an ROI that’s worth considering. The final cost of installing rooftop on-grid solar systems that use bifacial modules breaks even in 3 to 5 years. After that, the system saves tens of lakhs of rupees over its 25-year lifespan.

Modern high-efficiency solar cells offer significant advantages for residential and commercial rooftop systems in space-constrained areas where maximum power generation is essential.

In this blog, we’ll explain what makes high-efficiency solar panels crucial, highest efficiency solar cells in 2025 and the corresponding panel efficiency they achieve, factors that affect the solar cell efficiency, solar panel manufacturers in India that produce most efficient solar panels, future solar cell technologies to watch out for, and how to choose the most efficient solar panels for homes.

TL;DR Summary Box: Which Are the Most Efficient Solar Panels for Residential and Commercial Installations?

The most efficient solar panels that are widely used in rooftop solar for housing societies, homes, and commercial buildings in India are bifacial mono-PERC half-cut solar panels. These solar panels have a high efficiency of 22.5% and they perform better than traditional monofacial solar panels under partial shading. 

One fast-emerging n-type solar cell in the Indian market you should keep an eye on is the n-type TOPcon solar cell. 

Here are the main topics covered in this guide in detail:

Main Topics	Quick Takeaways
What are high-efficiency solar panels?	High-efficiency solar panels are PV modules that convert more solar energy into electricity.
What are the highest efficiency solar cells used in commercial rooftop installations in India?	Bifacial mono-PERC half-cut solar panels are the most widely used high-efficiency solar panels in India.
What are the fastest-emerging high-efficiency solar cells to watch out for?	TOPCon solar cells, multijunction solar cells, and heterojunction cell technology.
How to calculate solar panel efficiency?	Efficiency (η) = 100 x (Panel’s output in watts / Area x irradiance).
What factors affect the efficiency of solar panels in the real world?	Key factors include temperature, sunlight strength, shading, tilt angle, panel orientation, the quality of solar panel maintenance, the cell technology used, and the build and material quality.
Top manufacturers in India that produce the most efficient solar panels	Navitas Solar, Premier Energies, and ReNew Solar
How to choose the most efficient solar panels for homes?	Consider factors such as the amount of shadow-free space on your roof, the extent of shadowing during peak sunshine hours, and whether the rooftop is sufficiently strong to support the solar system’s weight.
Which solar panels give the best ROI in India?	Bifacial mono-PERC solar panels with half-cut high-efficiency solar cells offer the best ROI to homeowners in India.

What are High-Efficiency Solar Cells? 

High-efficiency solar cells are PV cells that convert sunlight into electricity at rates significantly higher than conventional panels. While polycrystalline solar panels from the first generation had an efficiency of 16-17%, the high-efficiency silicon solar panels have efficiencies ranging from 19% to 22.5%, based on the cell technology used. 

In fact, the highest efficiency solar cell technology, the multijunction solar cells, has reached ~47% efficiency under concentrated sunlight in lab settings.

Advanced high-efficiency solar cells utilize sophisticated materials and engineering techniques to capture more photons and minimize energy losses. 

P-Type vs N-Type High-Efficiency Solar Cells: What’s the Difference?

While both p-type and n-type solar cells use silicon as the semiconductor material, the main difference between them lies in how silicon is chemically modified during manufacturing. It directly impacts the final solar panel efficiency and performance.

Here’s a tabulated snapshot of the differences between these two high-efficiency solar cells:

Features	P-Type Solar Cells	N-Type Solar Cells
What is it?	Silicon doped with boron as the base material.	Silicon doped with phosphorus as the base material.
What are its types?	PERC (monofacial or bifacial, half-cut) and Al-BSF (legacy)	TOPCon, HJT, and back-contact (IBC/HBC/ABC)
Real-world efficiency	Up to 22.5%	Up to 26.7% for some types
Availability and service in India	Present everywhere in India.  Familiar to most installers, which is why the services are great.	It’s growing, but is still heavily brand/installer dependent.
Hot weather performance	Very good. Modern PERC cells have low temperature coefficients.	Good performance under heat.
Bifacial options available	Yes. PERC bifacial + half-cut is common.	Yes.
ROI and payback	Excellent. With subsidy and net metering, the system pays for itself in 3-5 years.	Only worth the extra cost on space-tight roofs. PERC gives the best value for Indian homes.

Which Solar Cells Make the Most Efficient Solar Panels in India in 2025?

The most efficient solar panels in India, widely used for both grid-connected and off-grid solar systems, are bifacial solar panels with Mono-PERC half-cut solar cells. Monofacial solar panels, specifically those made from monocrystalline solar cells, are also used on some rooftops where space is not a constraint.

Most Widely Sold Panels With Highest Efficiency Solar Cells 

There are three variations of the most efficient solar panels that are highly recommended for Indian homes. The efficiencies of all three types slightly vary. 

• Monofacial solar panels with monocrystalline solar cells: These silicon solar panels collect sunlight from the front. Their efficiency ranges between 19-20%.
• Bifacial solar panels with monocrystalline solar cells: These solar panels collect direct sunlight from the front and diffused sunlight from the back. Their efficiency is up to 22%.
• Bifacial solar panels with Mono-PERC half-cut solar cells: These are the most efficient PERC solar panels that collect sunlight from both the front and rear using mono-PERC half-cut cells, which offer better performance under partial shading. Their efficiency ranges up to 22.5%.

Quickly Emerging Solar Cells and Technologies to Watch Out

Certain new solar cells (some are still in the experimental stage, though) have shown high efficiencies and promising results in laboratory settings. While there’s still time before these high-efficiency solar cells and technologies become practical and mainstream in India, the ones worth keeping an eye on include TOPCon solar cells, multijunction solar cells, and heterojunction solar cells.  

Let’s dig into some details about each of these high-efficiency solar cells of the future:

• TOPCon solar cells: These solar cells use an extra ultra-thin layer of phosphorus that helps them absorb more sunlight and give a higher output. Under standard test conditions, these cells have shown a promising efficiency of up to 26.1%. However, there’s still time before they become commercially widespread in India. They’re way too costly to give a great ROI to homeowners and housing societies.  
• Multijunction solar cells: These high-efficiency solar cells have several ultra-thin layers stacked on top of each other. Each layer is capable of absorbing sunlight from a different spectrum. In labs, they’ve already hit a record efficiency of around 47% under concentrated light. However, they’re currently in the experimental stage and too fragile for rooftop installations, as they can’t perform well if sunlight is not direct. 
• Heterojunction cell technology (HJT): The heterojunction solar cells combine the layers of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon to increase the overall module efficiency. Under controlled lab settings, the HJT cells have recorded efficiencies up to 26.7%. However, their cost is too high for widespread commercial adoption in India yet.
• Perovskite solar cells: The experimental efficiency of these solar cells has reached almost 35%. However, they’re not yet stable for real-world adverse climates. 
• Back-Contact (IBC/HBC/ABC) Panels: In these panels, all the wiring is present on the back side of the cell. Therefore, the front is clean and can catch more sunlight. The highest efficiency for IBC cells with heterojunction technology has been recorded at 27.4%. Their mass adoption in India, however, is a topic for the future, once the prices of these panels decrease. 

What is Solar Panel Efficiency and How is it Calculated? 

Solar panel efficiency is calculated by module manufacturers in a controlled environment. It refers to the amount of sunlight the solar panels can convert to electricity. For instance, if a manufacturer rates a module as 22.5% efficient, it means that that solar panel was able to convert 22.5% of sunlight into electricity under the following standard test conditions (STC):

• 1,000 watts per square meter irradiance
• 25°C cell temperature
• 1.5 air mass spectrum

The solar panel efficiency is calculated using a simple formula: 

Efficiency (η) = 100 x (Panel’s output in watts / Area x irradiance).

It’s crucial to understand that the actual efficiency of solar panels can differ significantly from the efficiency under STC conditions, as panels are exposed to extreme weather when installed on rooftops, unlike the controlled lab environment where they are tested. 

Why Does Solar Panel Efficiency Matter?

Solar panel efficiency matters because the higher the efficiency of the panel, the more sunlight it will be able to convert to solar electricity, and the better the return on investment. Simply put, the efficiency rating determines how much electricity you can generate from your available roof space and sunshine hours.

Let’s check out the reasons why high efficiency matters:

• Makes space optimization possible: A 22.5% efficient solar panel will produce a lot more power than a 17% efficient solar panel in the same roof area.
• Gives a better return on investment: Higher efficiency solar cells generate more electricity. As a result, the bills reduce drastically, and you end up saving tens of lakhs of rupees throughout the 25+ years of the solar system’s life.
• They have a faster payback period: Since they generate more power and slash electricity bills, they are able to pay for themselves in 3 to 5 years. After that, you will get free solar electricity for more than two decades.
• They’re the only options when roof space is limited or your utility bill is too high: High-efficiency solar panels require fewer panels to reach the desired system capacity. Plus, they reduce the electricity bills by more than 90%. In fact, an appropriately-sized solar system with the highest efficiency solar cells can make your electricity bills zero and earn you credits from the discom in on-grid PV systems at homes.

Solar Panel Efficiency Chart 

Let’s give you an efficiency chart of the most efficient solar panels, along with notes on whether they’re widely used for rooftop installation in India or not. 

Most Efficient Solar Panels in India in 2025	Types of High-Efficiency Solar Cells They Use	Are They Widely Used for Rooftop Solar Systems Yet?
Bifacial solar panels: up to 22.5% efficient	Mono-PERC half-cut solar cells	Yes. They’re the most recommended type because they perform exceptionally well even in high temperatures, and their degradation rate is low.
TOPCon solar panels: up to 26.1% efficient	TOPCon solar cells	Too expensive to be widely used yet.
Multi-junction solar panels: up to 47% efficient under concentrated sunlight	Multi-junction solar cells	Not suitable for rooftops yet. The technology is yet to be made fit for harsh weather conditions in the real world.
HJT solar panels: up to 26.7% efficient	Heterojunction solar cells	Cost still evolving to be made suitable for mass-scale adoption
Perovskite solar panels: Up to 35% efficient	Perovskite solar cells	Technology is still under development. These panels are not available for residential and commercial solar installations yet.

What Factors Affect the Efficiency of Solar Panels?

The efficiency of solar panels depends on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, temperature, sunlight intensity, solar cell technology used to construct the panel, shading, dust and debris, and solar panel maintenance. 

Here’s a detailed lineup of how the major factors impact the final efficiency of solar panels in the real world:

• Cell technology used to build the panel: The latest technology solar cells, such as half-cut mono-PERC solar cells, utilize advanced materials and technologies that capture more sunlight and produce more electricity.  
• Temperature in your city: Usually, solar panels start losing efficiency at high temperatures. When the city temperature exceeds 45-50°C, the solar cell’s temperature exceeds 70°C. And standard solar cells start losing 0.4-0.5% for every degree Celsius above 25°C. That’s why advanced bifacial mono-PERC cells are recommended, as their temperature coefficient is lower and they tolerate heat a lot better than standard PV cells.  
• Build quality and material used: Anti-reflective coatings help light enter instead of bouncing away. Strong encapsulation films and tempered glass keep out moisture and block UV damage. As a result, panels with superior build stay clear and structurally sound over time.
• Sunlight strength: The higher the intensity of sunlight during peak sunshine hours, the better the performance of the panel. Hence, real life efficiency of your panel will significantly depend on how much sunlight falls on your rooftop directly between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Tilt angle and orientation of the solar panel: No matter how efficient, if the tilt angle is not correct and the panel is not facing its true south, its efficiency will be reduced. For most Indian cities, south-facing panels with a tilt near the local latitude (about 10-30°) give solid results.
• Shadows from nearby objects blocking direct sunlight: Even 10% shadows on one panel can reduce the power generation of the entire string by 30-40%. Usual culprits are trees, nearby buildings, water tanks, chimneys, or parapet walls casting shadows during peak sun.
• Dirt and dust on the panel’s surface: Without cleaning, grime builds up, and light can’t fall straight on solar panels. Field tests have shown that even 4% surface soiling can wipe out up to 30% of output. 

Did you know? Using a solar inverter with a built-in MPPT solar charge controller can increase the efficiency of solar panels. If your rooftop is affected by shadows, consider using these solar inverters and half-cut PERC solar cells to maximize your ROI.

How Do High-Efficiency Solar Cells Produce Electricity?

All solar PV cells, including high-efficiency solar cells, use the photovoltaic effect to convert sunlight into electricity. Photons present in the sunlight transfer their energy to the electrons in solar cells. These electrons flow in one direction, resulting in the generation of direct current (DC) output. 

Let’s understand in simple steps how high-efficiency solar cells capture sunlight and convert it to electricity: 

• Step 1 – Solar cells in solar panels absorb photons: Photons are high-energy particles present in sunlight. When sunlight falls on solar cells, photons with enough energy are absorbed. 
• Step 2 – Photons excite the electrons, causing them to leave their place: Photons transfer their energy to electrons present in the solar cells. The now energized electrons break free from their place, leaving behind a hole. Electrons are negatively charged, and holes are positively charged.
• Step 3 – The electric field in solar cells ensures electrons and holes don’t recombine: At the p-n junction, the cell’s built-in electric field pushes electrons one way and holes the other. It creates usable voltage. 
• Step 4 – Loose electrons flow in one direction: Metal contacts collect the charges. When you connect the panel to a load, electrons flow as direct current (DC) through the wires.

Top Indian Manufacturers and Their Most Efficient Solar Panels

India’s leading and most-trusted solar panel manufacturers include Navitas Solar, Premier Energies, and ReNew Solar. The solar panels they manufacture come with a long manufacturer’s warranty, and these brands also use the best quality materials to ensure their panels continue performing at the best efficiency even under intense heat or rain. 

Let’s check out some of the most efficient solar panels offered by premium brands in India in 2025:

Most Efficient Solar Panels by Best Brands in India	Solar Panel Efficiency
Navitas Solar mono-PERC half-cut bifacial solar panels (132 cell / 10 BB modules)	21.06%
Premier Energies P-type, bifacial dual glass module M-10 & G-12 HC	30% more power generation than normal P-type panels
Renew Solar bifacial solar panel	21.68%

Check out the best brands in India and their top-performing solar panels. 

How to Choose High-Efficiency Solar Panels for Your Home?

Choosing the right high-efficiency solar panel for your home depends on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the shadow-free space on your rooftop, panel’s efficiency vs its price, the right cell technology that’ll remain mainstream for decades, hot-weather performance to survive India’s intense summer season, brand reputation and warranty offered, and type of solar inverter. 

Let’s check out how these major factors play a huge role in choosing a high-efficiency solar panel which will be right for your home:

• Your roof space and shade: Measure usable area and check for shadows from trees, tanks, or nearby buildings. Less shade and more open space mean more real power from any panel. However, if the roof space is limited or afflicted by shadows, go for mono-PERC half-cut bifacial modules only.
• Roof type and strength: Flat RCC roofs in top-notch shape are important for home installations. That’s because even something as small as a 1 kW solar system with 545 Wp bifacial solar panels can weigh between 50-60 kgs. So, the rooftop needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the solar system for decades without caving in.
• Panel efficiency vs price: Higher efficiency saves space but can cost more. Pick the panel that gives the best value for your roof. 
• Cell technology you can actually buy today: Good mono-Si PERC panels with half-cut cells are widely available and give strong results. Moreover, these panels use the most recent solar technology. Hence, they won’t go obsolete anytime in the near future.
• Monofacial vs bifacial: Bifacial solar panels can produce extra energy on flat and elevated arrays above light/white surfaces. If your roof is dark or sloped with little rear light, monofacial may be the better value.
• Heat performance: All solar panels lose some power in heat. Look for a high-efficiency solar panel with a low temperature coefficient so it can produce high output even in harsh Indian summers. 
• Pay attention to the product warranty: Once installed and cared for, solar systems can last for 25+ years. Therefore, buying panels with extended product warranties will reduce the risk in the long run.
• Installer quality and workmanship warranty: Skilled installers are crucial, as they ensure the installation of high-quality solar panels that will withstand high monsoon winds. For instance, SolarSquare has a storm safety record of 99.91%. Our solar systems are mounted on WindPro Mount™ mounting structures that stand tall in high wind speeds up to 170 kmph.
• Inverter choice: Prefer MPPT solar inverters over PWM models because the MPPT algorithm ensures your solar panels are producing maximum possible output at any given time during the day. 

What Makes Bifacial Solar Panels the Best Options for Indian Homes? ROI Calculations Included

Among the numerous modules featuring high-efficiency solar cells, bifacial mono-PERC solar panels offer the best ROI for residential and commercial solar systems in India. The installation cost of on-grid solar systems after a subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana can be recovered in 3-5 years. After that, the solar system on your rooftop will work for at least 25 years and generate free electricity for you.

These panels generate maximum output even if shadows affect one panel, since they use the half-cut technology. When you use these rooftop solar panel systems for homes, you get the best return on investment because of the following reasons:

• The investment cost breaks even in 3-5 years: The solar system continues generating free solar electricity for 25 years.
• The system reduces electricity bills by at least 90%: The government increases electricity tariffs by 3-6% annually. When you install a solar system that can take care of all your energy needs, you won’t have to pay electricity bills. 

Initial Solar System Investment Cost vs Solar Savings in 25 Years

Let’s give you a comparison between the initial solar system installation cost vs how much money that solar system can save for you in 25 years of its life in a city like Nagpur: 

Solar System Size	Solar Panel Price in Nagpur With Subsidy (Starting Price – Indicative for Base Variant)*	Solar Savings (ROI) in Nagpur in 25 Years*
2 kWp	~ Rs. 1.15 lakh	~ Rs. 11.05 lakh
3 kWp	~ Rs. 1.32 lakh	~ Rs. 16.58 lakh
4 kWp	~ Rs. 1.77 lakh	~ Rs. 22.11 lakh
5 kWp	~ Rs. 2.27 lakh	~ Rs. 34.43 lakh
10 kWp	~ Rs. 5.02 lakh	~ Rs. 68.86 lakh

*Please note: The above-mentioned solar plate price is indicative as of 18th August 2025 for the SolarSquare Blue 6ft variant. The final cost of installing an on-grid rooftop solar panel system at home depends on your DISCOM charges, product variant opted for, panel type, inverter type, mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, savings guarantee, roof height, etc. Prices are subject to change. Additionally, while calculating savings, we have considered the annual tariff escalation at 3% and the annual degradation at 1%. The actual final savings from solar panel installation depend on the types of solar panels you’ve installed and their efficiency, intensity of sunlight your rooftop receives, orientation of the panels and tilt angle, the pollution level and weather conditions in your city, the temperature, shadow on the roof, impact of dirt/dust, and how well you maintain your panels after installation.

Impressive just how much money an on-grid solar system in India can save, isn’t it? Use SolarSquare’s free rooftop solar calculator to get an estimate of savings from SolarSquare’s solar systems in your city.

Conclusion

High-efficiency solar cells convert more sunlight into electricity, making them highly sought after in the solar installation sector. However, not all high-efficiency solar cells are suitable for mass-scale solar installations in the real world. For instance, the recorded highest efficiency of multi-junction solar cells is ~47% under concentrated sunlight in lab settings. However, these cells are currently in the experimental stage only.

Bifacial mono-PERC half-cut solar panels dominate the current market because half-cut cell technology makes these panels perform better on rooftops with limited space and multiple shadows. Plus, their temperature coefficient is low. Hence, they’re suitable for high heat in India.
For any further information, book a free solar consultation call with SolarSquare today.

FAQs

Q1. Which solar cell gives the highest efficiency?

Ans. The highest ever recorded solar cell efficiency is 47% for multijunction solar cells under concentrated sunlight in lab settings. However, these solar cells are still in the experimental stage. The most efficient solar panels used for rooftop solar installations are bifacial mono-PERC half-cut solar panels with efficiency up to 22.5%.

Q2. Is a 90% efficient solar panel possible?

Ans. No, this is practically not possible. The highest recorded efficiency to date in lab settings is 47%.

Q3. Can solar panels be 100% efficient?

Ans. No, this is impossible. All solar panels suffer thermodynamic and spectral losses while they convert sunlight to electricity. Hence, achieving 100% efficiency in the real world is impossible.

Q4. What are the main benefits of high-efficiency solar panels?

Ans. They produce more power than less-efficient solar panels for the same roof area. Also, they offer a better return on investment, have a faster payback period, and better warranties.

Q5. Do you need a lithium battery with on-grid solar systems?

Ans. No. An on-grid solar system doesn’t require lithium batteries. A lithium battery bank is needed for off-grid and hybrid solar systems only.