USIBC convenes Solar Power Task Force

WASHINGTON, USA: The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has launched a major new initiative to promote US-India trade and investment in the burgeoning solar power sector.

Comprised of private-sector companies, the USIBC Solar Power Task Force will help to bridge the United States’ aspirations to export leading technologies, while furthering India’s goal of attaining energy security by reducing its dependence on imported coal and fossil fuels. The USIBC Solar Task Force is a subcommittee of USIBC’s Energy, Environment, Enterprise (EEE) Executive Committee, comprised of more than 100 members.

Bryan Ashley, chief marketing officer of Suniva, and Aparna Doshi, chief operating officer of Astonfield, will Co-Chair the Task Force.

“The aim of the USIBC Solar Task Force is to ensure robust cooperation - both financial and technological - between American and Indian firms participating in this vital sector, and to promote an enabling environment that will spur the application of efficient, clean solar-powered energy throughout India and the globe,” said USIBC president Ron Somers.

The US and India signed a memorandum of understanding in November of 2009 on Energy Security, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy and Climate Change to intensify cooperation in energy efficiency and “green” power development. The USIBC Solar Task Force will support the two governments’ efforts to accelerate utility-scale solar deployment.

The Government of India announced the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) on November 19, 2009, with more than 20,000 MW of new solar generation targeted by 2022. The breakthrough program is attempting to mitigate the impact of climate change, while promoting rural development and energy security.

The Government of India seeks to become a solar power generating hub, as well as a leader in solar services and equipment. USIBC’s Solar Power Task Force will support policy formulation leading to the success of the JNNSM, providing clean energy to sustain India’s double digit growth.

In the eight months since JNNSM’s introduction, the Government of India has worked diligently to develop the supporting mechanisms to ensure execution against the program’s milestones, the first being 1100 MW of solar generation by March 2013. In order for this goal to be met, it is essential that the solar policy, associated regulatory mechanisms, and contracting relationships be commercially viable and embraced by the private sector and financial community.

The USIBC Solar Task Force will support the JNNSSM by:
i. Sharing regulatory and policy best practices with the Government of India and respective states that will enable India to develop into one of the largest solar power markets and facilitate the development of commercially viable solar power plants;

ii. Advising of the latest developments in terms of leading solar technologies and implementation practices;

iii. Addressing risks, removal of difficulties, and encouraging discussion between all stakeholders to promote efficient implementation of effective policies for the transparent and competitive growth of the Indian solar sector;

iv. Facilitating financing of solar power projects and solar equipment manufacturing in India.

USIBC has actively promoted trade in investment in clean energy technologies. USIBC is proud to be associated with the US-India Energy Partnership Summit 2010, presented by TERI & Yale University. Focusing on “Technologies and Policies for Energy Security,” the Summit will take place on September 29 in Washington, DC.