(solar novus) : Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah has called all the industry leaders to invest in Solar Energy Projects in the country.
He was addressing diplomats in the first meeting of the Solar Energy Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC) in New Delhi.
Dr. Abdullah assured them of the full support of the Government in setting up solar projects based on both grid connected as well as off grid applications.
At the same time, he asked industry leaders to respond favourably and positively to the incentives offered by the Government in this direction. The Minister said that India has a vast scope for developing solar
energy applications as still many parts of rural India do not have access to grid connected electricity. He cited the example of high altitude places in Ladakh where
solar energy has changed people’s lives.
Shri Anand G. Mahindra who is Chairman of the Council assured the support of the industry in achieving the goals of the
Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Describing the meeting as very fruitful, he said the Council would deliberate and offer advice on technology matters, manufacturing, investments and
fiscal policies that are critical for the
growth of the solar industry in India.
The meeting deliberated on a range of issues concerning the growth of Solar Energy Industry in India. These included role of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) in making renewable power projects
commercially viable, REC pricing, issues regarding Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO), hybridization of projects, technology
transfer, support and promotion of
domestic manufacturing eco-systems and financing support for manufacturing and power generation projects.
The Solar Energy Industry Advisory Council has been constituted by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy to advice the Ministry on various technology related
matters, attract investment across the value chain, steps required to encourage R&D and drive down costs and make the Indian
Solar Industry globally competitive.
It will review the status of Indian Solar Industry from time to time and suggest measures required and a road map to accelerate the growth to achieve manufacturing level of
about 4-5 GWeq per year by 2017-2020. The Council is chaired by Shri Anand G. Mahindra of Mahindra & Mahindra and has
leading Industrialists as its members. .
