India’s rapid expansion of solar energy has positioned it among the world’s largest renewable energy markets. However, maintaining the efficiency of installed solar infrastructure remains a significant challenge. Solar panels operating in real-world conditions often lose 15–30% of their potential electricity generation due to dust accumulation, light reflection and heat build-up. The conventional solution—frequent manual cleaning—not only increases operational costs but also consumes vast quantities of water, particularly in arid regions where many solar parks are located. As India continues to invest in renewable energy, improving the performance of existing assets has become as important as installing new capacity.

Mumbai-based TriNANO Technologies addresses this challenge through an advanced nanotechnology solution that enhances the efficiency, durability and sustainability of existing solar panels. Rather than redesigning photovoltaic cells, the startup has developed a 0.4-micron nano-coating that can be applied to both new and ageing panels, enabling them to generate more electricity while requiring significantly less maintenance and water. The innovation demonstrates how advanced materials can improve infrastructure performance without requiring expensive equipment replacement, offering a scalable approach for India’s growing renewable energy ecosystem.

A Nanotechnology Solution for Solar Performance

TriNANO’s innovation is a transparent nano-coating that bonds permanently with the glass surface of solar panels. At just 0.4 microns thick—around one hundredth the width of a human hair—the coating modifies the optical and physical properties of the panel without affecting the photovoltaic cells beneath it.

The coating improves performance through four complementary mechanisms. First, it reduces surface reflection, allowing more sunlight to enter the solar cells instead of being reflected away. Second, it increases light transmission through engineered nanostructures that maximise the amount of usable sunlight reaching the photovoltaic layer. Third, its anti-soiling properties prevent dust, oil, bird droppings and other contaminants from adhering strongly to the panel surface, making them easier to remove through rain or light cleaning. Finally, the coating reflects a portion of infrared radiation, lowering panel operating temperatures and reducing heat-related efficiency losses.

Unlike conventional anti-soiling coatings that degrade within months, the coating forms a durable layer that bonds directly with the glass surface. It can be applied to panels irrespective of manufacturer, age or technology, making it suitable for retrofitting existing solar farms as well as integration into new manufacturing lines. Since the application process does not require high-temperature processing or specialised factory equipment, the technology can also be deployed directly on operational solar installations.

To validate its commercial performance, the technology underwent independent testing at the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE), IIT Bombay, where it was evaluated through accelerated ultraviolet exposure, thermal cycling, damp heat testing and long-term outdoor soiling trials. Such third-party validation is particularly important for infrastructure technologies, where adoption depends on proven reliability under field conditions.

From Laboratory Innovation to Commercial Deployment

Development of the coating began in 2018 after identifying dust accumulation and thermal losses as major contributors to declining solar performance across Indian installations. TriNANO Technologies was incorporated in 2022 and incubated at the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay, receiving technical support during product development. The company also received backing from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and multiple government-supported innovation programmes, enabling it to continue product development and validation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The technology is designed for flexible deployment across different scales of solar infrastructure. At utility-scale solar parks, automated robotic coating systems are being developed to process hundreds of panels every hour, enabling large-scale retrofitting. For rooftop systems, agricultural solar pumps and rural cooperatives, the coating can be applied manually or through semi-automated processes. This flexibility allows the technology to serve both commercial solar developers and decentralised renewable energy systems.

Improving Energy Output While Conserving Water

Field deployments have demonstrated consistent improvements across diverse climatic conditions, panel manufacturers and installation ages. According to TriNANO’s field data, coated panels generate approximately 4% more electricitythan untreated panels while reducing water consumption for cleaning by 55%. This translates into savings of more than one million litres of water per megawatt of installed capacity each year, making the technology particularly valuable in water-stressed states where water is often transported specifically for cleaning solar installations.

Independent validation has supported these findings. Bengaluru-based solar operator Renkube conducted a five-month side-by-side comparison of coated and uncoated panels, recording a 6% increase in electricity generation from coated modules. Similarly, an 11-year-old solar installation in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, achieved a 3.8% increase in power generation after retrofitting with the coating, while reducing cleaning frequency by 56%. These results demonstrate that the technology can significantly improve the performance of ageing infrastructure without replacing existing panels.

Beyond increased energy generation, the coating extends panel life by an estimated two to three years, reducing replacement costs for operators while delaying the disposal of ageing modules. Improved efficiency also contributes to a 5.2% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions and 7.6% better land-use efficiency, as higher-performing panels generate more electricity from the same installed footprint. By extending asset life, the technology also contributes to reducing future solar e-waste, an increasingly important consideration as India’s first generation of utility-scale solar projects approaches the end of its operational lifecycle.

The technology also offers clear economic benefits. Priced at approximately ₹750 per 540 Wp panel, the coating is estimated to recover its cost within two years through higher electricity generation and reduced maintenance requirements. According to the company, coating a 10 MW solar plant could generate an additional 720 MWh of electricity annually, creating measurable revenue gains without requiring additional land or generation infrastructure.

Scaling Advanced Materials for India’s Energy Transition

TriNANO has raised approximately US$700,000 (around ₹6 crore) through grants and seed investment from organisations including Spectrum Impact, Aar Em Ventures, NRDC, Elektron Invest GmbH and multiple government-backed innovation programmes. The funding is supporting commercial expansion and manufacturing scale-up.

The company’s next phase focuses on automated robotic coating systems capable of processing 65 MW of solar panels annually per production line. With additional manufacturing capacity, TriNANO aims to increase annual coating throughput from 7 MW to 330 MW by FY 2026–27, enabling deployment across significantly larger utility-scale solar installations. This shift from laboratory innovation to industrial manufacturing illustrates the importance of public incubation support and early-stage financing in commercialising deep-tech solutions.

Implications for Urban Development and Frontier Technologies

TriNANO demonstrates how frontier technologies can improve the performance of existing infrastructure rather than relying solely on new construction. As Indian cities increasingly install rooftop solar systems across municipal buildings, transport infrastructure, industrial estates and public institutions, maintaining long-term performance will become essential for achieving clean energy targets. Retrofitting existing assets with advanced materials offers a cost-effective approach to increasing electricity generation while reducing maintenance costs and conserving scarce water resources.

The technology also highlights the growing role of advanced materials and nanotechnology within urban infrastructure. While frontier technologies are often associated with artificial intelligence or robotics, innovations in materials science can deliver equally significant public value by improving the efficiency, durability and sustainability of physical assets. In the renewable energy sector, incremental improvements in existing infrastructure can collectively generate substantial gains in energy production, resource efficiency and operational resilience.

More broadly, the case illustrates the importance of India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem. Support from research institutions, government programmes and technology incubators enabled a laboratory-developed material to progress into a commercially deployable infrastructure solution. As India continues to modernise its urban systems, similar collaborations between research institutions, startups and public agencies will be critical for translating frontier technologies into scalable public infrastructure solutions.

Rather than expanding renewable energy capacity alone, TriNANO shows that improving the productivity of infrastructure already in operation can play an equally important role in India’s clean energy transition. By combining higher energy generation with lower water consumption and longer asset life, the technology offers a practical example of how nanotechnology can strengthen urban sustainability while improving the efficiency of critical infrastructure.