India's National Solar Mission (NSM) – Target of 1,000 MW in phase I is achievable!

BANGALORE, INDIA: SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment Materials International) / PV Group, one of the leading industry associations that serve the photovoltaic supply chain, in association with REAF (Renewable Energy Action Forum), TERI (The Energy Resource Institute) and Tata BP Solar organized a Round Table today, with MNRE, Government of India, Energy Department, Government of Karnataka and representatives (CXOs) of leading companies in the Solar/PV industry across India.

They discussed various strategies on accelerating the implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JN-NSM).

Members of the Round Table included, Deepak Gupta, Secretary, MNRE, Government of India, Dr B. Bhargava, Director, MNRE, K. Jairaj, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Karnataka, Sathya Prasad, President, SEMI India, Dr A. Ramachandran, Chairman, REAF, Shivananda Murthy, KREDL, V. Hiremath, KERC, V.P. Ramachandran, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, among other senior solar industry executives.

The NSM sets ambitious targets that will put India in the league of leading nations in the deployment and use of renewable energy. SEMI PV Group with other industry and association partners is continuously facilitating the interaction of the industry with both Central and State Governments in achieving the common goals set forth by NSM, with the immediate one being the successful implementation of Phase I (1000 MW by 2012).

Deepak Gupta, Secretary, MNRE, Government of India, said: "There is highest commitment from the Central Government for the implementation of the National Solar Mission. The fundamental objective of the NSM is to reduce cost through large scale deployment, indigenous manufacturing, use of better technology enabled through R&D, in every stage of deployment."

Agreeing with Gupta on cost per megawatt and tariff, K Jairaj, Chairman of KREDL and Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Department of Karnataka, said: "We are committed to the Solar Mission Framework given by the Central Government. Karnataka is the first in India to launch grid connected solar projects and has sanctioned 115 MW of solar generation capacity in the state and recommended that this should be migrated to the grid."

Jairaj also spoke about the new Renewable Energy policy of the state released in February and the aim of making Karnataka the number 1 RE state in the Country by 2014.

Dr B. Bhargava, Director, MNRE, said: "The key feature of Phase I is its industry focus, on capacity expansion and research activities, so that cost reduction can take place. The strategy includes, supporting utility scale power generation, expanding off-grid applications, accelerating Research and Development and enhancing the domestic manufacturing base." He added, "There may be a requirement of 1,000 young scientists and engineers to get trained on different solar energy technologies to fuel R&D. A total of 100,000 engineers, scientists and technicians would be required by 2022 to fuel India’s solar/PV expansion. A significant number of Centres of Excellence across the country will also be set up for building and grooming top flight talent."

SEMI/PV Group recently published a white paper on the Principles and Recommended Best Practices for Solar Feed-in-Tariffs. The President of the Group in India, Sathya Prasad, said: "The design of the Jawaharlal Nehru – National Solar Mission (JN-NSM) matches the outlined policy principles published by us. The success of the Mission’s implementation lies also in market making, customer awareness, technology progress and innovative business models."

Industry representatives had an excellent opportunity to interact with key Government officials on various issues relating to details and procedures for implementing the Mission.

On this occasion, SEMI India also announced India’s premier solar/PV focused exhibition and conference, SOLARCON India 2010, which will be held from July 28-30 in Hyderabad at the HICC.