The National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has announced the successful transfer of its advanced solar absorber coating technology, NALSUN-NG, to Helix Solar Private Limited, a burgeoning clean-tech startup based in Mysuru. This technology enables the domestic production of flat plate solar water heaters, potentially reducing the monthly import of five to six lakh evacuated tube collectors.
NALSUN-NG is a revolutionary graphene oxide-based solar selective coating designed specifically for photothermal applications such as solar water heaters. Developed entirely in-house by NAL, it is India’s first eco-friendly, water-based coating of its kind. Unlike traditional coatings that rely on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flammable solvents, NALSUN-NG utilizes only non-toxic, RoHS- and REACH-compliant inorganic materials.
Most commercial coatings currently use capital-intensive physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques or contain harmful VOCs. In contrast, NALSUN-NG requires minimal infrastructure investment, contains no flammable components, and poses no effluent treatment challenges, making it ideal for local manufacturing and rural deployment.
The coating has undergone rigorous testing aligned with ASTM and International Energy Agency (IEA) standards. It is certified by NABL-accredited laboratories, and its intellectual property is protected under Indian and international patents. With a lifespan exceeding 20 years, NALSUN-NG is trademarked and has already been successfully commercialized.
This transfer marks the second successful licensing of the NALSUN-NG technology, following its earlier adoption by an industry partner where it has already been commercialized and integrated into solar thermal systems.
