BANGALORE, INDIA: NXP Semiconductors today announced a development partnership with Tata BP Solar India Ltd, a joint venture of BP Solar and Tata Power, under which Tata BP intends to use various electronic solutions for solar applications developed by NXP. These solutions have been developed by NXP as per the requirements of Tata BP.
K. Subramanya, CEO of TATA BP Solar, and Rene Penning de Vries, CTO of NXP Semiconductors today also disclosed that the two companies have signed a Letter of Intent to roll out the electronics controls products starting 2010.
Both companies are looking at a long-term partnership that will see the development of a range of products.
Subramanya said: "We are very pleased to partner with NXP on the development of this small, but exciting range of products. Given the high level of sunlight all over India and in view of the country’s ever increasing power demands, solar power is an economically efficient and environmentally sustainable source of energy for India. We look forward to introducing these products to a substantial number of households over the next three to five years."
Penning de Vries added: "This kind of innovation is a perfect example of how the semiconductor industry is moving away from following the path of Moore’s Law. We’re not simply building faster and more complex systems, we’re now looking at inventive and very innovative ways to reduce power consumption and move the semiconductor industry to a whole new level."
Showing posts with label Tata BP Solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tata BP Solar. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
NDPL, Tata BP Solar to set up solar plants for green Delhi
NEW DELHI, INDIA: In a landmark move, North Delhi Power Ltd (NDPL) and Tata BP Solar have recently joined hands to set up solar power plants in Delhi including rooftop solar plants which will be connected to the electricity grid.
This will consist of array of PV (photovoltaic) modules which will absorb sun light and convert it into electricity. The electricity, generated on rooftops, can be either consumed directly by the owner of the rooftop or exported into the grid and also sold to NDPL.
Once operational, these plants will not only augment power supply for NDPL consumers but will also be a source of income for them.
NDPL has already set up two such solar plants of 4 KW and 15 KW at its corporate office in Hudson Lines and at its training centre in Rohini. Now, NDPL proposes to set up a 25KW solar plant at the premises of DERC.
At a presentation by the alliance of NDPL and Tata BP Solar, the DERC was enthused with the idea of roof top installation of this green power, which will turn the electricity consumers as producers of electricity.
Sunil Wadhwa, CEO & Executive Director, NDPL, said: "In NDPL’s climate change and sustainability strategy, Sun occupies centre stage being the original source of all energy. Solar power is one of the most suitable and feasible source of power from the perspective of cost, scalability, environment and security of source.
"The challenge is to make this source of power economically viable and I am sure that with Government’s support and encouragement in the initial years and, with volumes picking up, solar technology will become more competitive with grid power."
If only 20,000 consumers were to come forward producing 5 KW each, NDPL would manage to generate 100 MW of Solar Power by the end of this financial year. This success of this initiative would however depend on some initial capital support from the government to make solar power generation affordable for the consumers, Wadhwa added.
Apart from the consumers’ roof top initiative, NDPL is also going ahead with the setting up of a 1 Mega Watt Solar Plant using the roof top of its central stores at Keshav Puram in North Delhi.
The proposal to set up solar power plants in Delhi is also in line with the Delhi Government’s Climate Change Agenda 2009-2012 for Delhi.
"We are excited with the prospects of working with NDPL and the opportunity it opens up for partnering in Delhi’s drive towards sustainable energy," said K. Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had also recently launched schemes to promote and encourage rooftop grid-connect policy for solar power. The National Solar Mission set up as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) last year, is also reported to be targeting 20000 Megawatts from solar power by 2020.
This will consist of array of PV (photovoltaic) modules which will absorb sun light and convert it into electricity. The electricity, generated on rooftops, can be either consumed directly by the owner of the rooftop or exported into the grid and also sold to NDPL.
Once operational, these plants will not only augment power supply for NDPL consumers but will also be a source of income for them.
NDPL has already set up two such solar plants of 4 KW and 15 KW at its corporate office in Hudson Lines and at its training centre in Rohini. Now, NDPL proposes to set up a 25KW solar plant at the premises of DERC.
At a presentation by the alliance of NDPL and Tata BP Solar, the DERC was enthused with the idea of roof top installation of this green power, which will turn the electricity consumers as producers of electricity.
Sunil Wadhwa, CEO & Executive Director, NDPL, said: "In NDPL’s climate change and sustainability strategy, Sun occupies centre stage being the original source of all energy. Solar power is one of the most suitable and feasible source of power from the perspective of cost, scalability, environment and security of source.
"The challenge is to make this source of power economically viable and I am sure that with Government’s support and encouragement in the initial years and, with volumes picking up, solar technology will become more competitive with grid power."
If only 20,000 consumers were to come forward producing 5 KW each, NDPL would manage to generate 100 MW of Solar Power by the end of this financial year. This success of this initiative would however depend on some initial capital support from the government to make solar power generation affordable for the consumers, Wadhwa added.
Apart from the consumers’ roof top initiative, NDPL is also going ahead with the setting up of a 1 Mega Watt Solar Plant using the roof top of its central stores at Keshav Puram in North Delhi.
The proposal to set up solar power plants in Delhi is also in line with the Delhi Government’s Climate Change Agenda 2009-2012 for Delhi.
"We are excited with the prospects of working with NDPL and the opportunity it opens up for partnering in Delhi’s drive towards sustainable energy," said K. Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had also recently launched schemes to promote and encourage rooftop grid-connect policy for solar power. The National Solar Mission set up as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) last year, is also reported to be targeting 20000 Megawatts from solar power by 2020.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Indian solar energy market outlook 2012 report
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012" report to its offering.
Solar energy offers enormous potential for a tropical country like India where around 45 percent of households, mainly rural ones, do not have access to electricity, says the new research report "Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012."
India receives solar energy equivalent to more than 5,000 Trillion kWh per year, which is far more than its total annual energy consumption. The country's geographical location, large population and government support are also assisting it to become one of the most rapidly emerging solar energy markets in the world. Consequently, the country is becoming a favorite investment destination for both local as well as global players.
Demand for solar products has been rising rapidly over the recent years, especially in rural areas, and is expected to continue growing substantially during our forecast period (2009-2012). The total number of solar lanterns in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 40 percent between 2009 and 2012.
"Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012" provides a rational analysis and extensive research on the solar power industry in India. It thoroughly examines the current industry trends which are adding to the growth of solar power market of the country.
The report highlights the emerging segments of solar power industry and their market potential to serve the enormous population of the country. It will help clients to understand the market dynamics and get an insight of the current and future outlook of solar power market in India.
Besides giving projections on various energy indicators, the report also gives forecast on various segments of the solar power industry based on feasible solar industry environment in India.
These include:
* Solar Street Lighting System
* Solar Home Lighting System
* Solar Lantern
* Solar Photovoltaic Pumps
* Solar Water Heating System
* Solar Cookers
The forecast given in this report is not based on a complex economic model, but is intended as a rough guide to the direction in which the market is likely to move. This forecast is based on correlations between past market growth, growth of base drivers and possible impact of recession in the economy.
The report also includes detailed information about the key players in the solar power industry of India including BHEL, BEL, CEL, TATA BP Solar India Ltd, Moser Baer India Ltd, Applied Materials Inc, and Solar Signet.
Solar energy offers enormous potential for a tropical country like India where around 45 percent of households, mainly rural ones, do not have access to electricity, says the new research report "Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012."
India receives solar energy equivalent to more than 5,000 Trillion kWh per year, which is far more than its total annual energy consumption. The country's geographical location, large population and government support are also assisting it to become one of the most rapidly emerging solar energy markets in the world. Consequently, the country is becoming a favorite investment destination for both local as well as global players.
Demand for solar products has been rising rapidly over the recent years, especially in rural areas, and is expected to continue growing substantially during our forecast period (2009-2012). The total number of solar lanterns in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 40 percent between 2009 and 2012.
"Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012" provides a rational analysis and extensive research on the solar power industry in India. It thoroughly examines the current industry trends which are adding to the growth of solar power market of the country.
The report highlights the emerging segments of solar power industry and their market potential to serve the enormous population of the country. It will help clients to understand the market dynamics and get an insight of the current and future outlook of solar power market in India.
Besides giving projections on various energy indicators, the report also gives forecast on various segments of the solar power industry based on feasible solar industry environment in India.
These include:
* Solar Street Lighting System
* Solar Home Lighting System
* Solar Lantern
* Solar Photovoltaic Pumps
* Solar Water Heating System
* Solar Cookers
The forecast given in this report is not based on a complex economic model, but is intended as a rough guide to the direction in which the market is likely to move. This forecast is based on correlations between past market growth, growth of base drivers and possible impact of recession in the economy.
The report also includes detailed information about the key players in the solar power industry of India including BHEL, BEL, CEL, TATA BP Solar India Ltd, Moser Baer India Ltd, Applied Materials Inc, and Solar Signet.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Opportunities in India's solar/PV landscape: SEMI India
Solar/photovoltaics (PV) holds tremendous potential and promise for India, a fact not hidden from anyone. To further highlight its importance, SEMI India unveiled its first paper on Solar PV in India yesterday afternoon.
More action from Indian government needed
The meet called for more action from the government of India, a more closer industry-government collaboration, as well as the need for financial institutions to pay more attention to the solar/PV segment in India.
The photo here shows from left to right: Dr. Madhusudan V. Atre, President, Applied Materials India; Dr. J. Gururaja, Renewable Energy Action Forum & Executive President, SEMI India; K. Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar; and Sathya Prasad, president, SEMI India.
Touching on the rationale for this SEMI paper on solar/PV's landscape in India, Dr. J. Gururaja, Renewable Energy Action Forum and Executive President, SEMI India, said it was meant to project the solar/PV industry's perspective: where we are and what needs to be done! This is a first account report and will be followed by many other such reports.
He said: "Solar in general, and PV in particular, can address the challenges that we face today. Solar/PV has a special attraction. It converts solar to electricity without involving any moving parts."
He added that although the industry has been looking at the potential, the markets have not been expanding as expected. "We need to see what can be done and achieved. This report is a stock-taking exercise," he pointed out.
Case for solar/PV in India
Sathya Prasad, president of SEMI India, touched upon the case for PV in India. These include:
* The existing power deficit situation in many parts of the country.
* India's brisk economic growth implies rising energy needs.
* Overdependence on coal for electricity generation -- limited coal reserves and CO2 emissions.
* Overdependence on oil and natural gas imports -- it accounts for 7 percent of GDP and consequent energy security concerns.
According to him, India is abundantly endowed with solar radiation. So far, so good!
Key PV opportunities for India
According to SEMI's paper, the key PV opportunities for India lie in off-grid applications and grid-connected PV. The off-grid applications include:
* Basic lighting and electrification of rural homes.
* Irrigation pump sets.
* Power back-up for cellular base station towers -- approximately, there will be 2.9 lakh base station towers by the end of 2009.
* Urban applications -- such as street lighting, etc.
The opportunities in grid-connected PV exist in:
* The current grid connected PV generation capacity is very small.
* Existing power deficit and huge projected future need.
* The cost point of PV has been declining continuously with technology improvements and scale.
Benefits of PV in India
The benefits of PV in India extend well beyond addressing energy needs. For instance, renewable energy technologies create more jobs than any fossil fuel based technologies. It also creates jobs across the value chain -- from R&D to manufacturing, installation and maintenance. Sathya Prasad highlighted MNRE's point that about 100,000 jobs could be created out of PV.
PV also has the capability of transforming lives. About 450 million Indians today manage with kerosene/other fuels for very basic lighting despite its significant health and safety risks. In this context, special mention needs to be made of the Aryavarta Grameen Bank's home electrification program.
Challenges for PV in India
Evidently, a bunch of opportunities are awaiting India in the solar/PV space. However, several challenges need to be overcome as well. These would be:
* Need for closer industry-government co-operation.
* Need for standards.
* Need for collaborative, goals driven R&D.
* Training and human resources development
* Need for financing infrastructure and models.
So, what are the recommendations of this paper on solar/PV landscape in India, and further call to action? These are:
* Need to evolve a common government-industry vision to make India a world leader in PV.
* Develop financing infrastructure and models that will motivate large-scale PV adoption and investments.
* Expand development of PV in off-grid applications.
* Accelerate grid-connected PV generation on a large scale.
Call for low carbon growth strategy
"Low carbon growth path is universal now. To make that happen, there needs to be a political will," advised K. Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar, and chairman SEMI India PV Advisory Committee, while presenting his perspective on the solar/PV industry in India.
There has been little action on part of the government of India. "This needs to be implemented on the ground. We need policy and lifestyle innovation," he added. Subramanya cautioned that, "Too much of analysis will result in paralysis." According to him, separate budgets are required for a low carbon growth strategy. "Solar has tremendous potential. Even its learning curve is brilliant," Subramanya noted.
He added that if the European Union (EU) can make a low carbon journey so smoothly, then why not India? For instance, in Karnataka state alone, the demand is said to be 6700MW and a 10-11 percent peak shortage. We have 20-odd lakh Bhagya Jyoti and Kutir Jyoti units, and around 7,870-odd street lights. If a majority of these can be replaced by solar, it could lead to tremendous savings! This could be at least 57MW for a state like Karnataka. Apparently, all of this would require an investment of Rs. 52 crores and a payback time of two years.
"Why can't we develop a low-carbon growth path for every state in India? Imagine, what it can do for the other states," Subramanya highlighted. "If the power sector does not do well, it will hit the country's GDP!" Quite rightly so!!
Subramanya cited another example of solar water heaters in Karnataka. There are 32 lakh homes, of which about 5 lakh homes have solar water heaters. If more houses were to adopt these, it would result in a saving of 4,000MW of electricity! The Tata BP Solar CEO also called upon financial institutions to have a closer look at solar. Even the tariffs structure for solar/PV in India is not favorable enough.
He also touched upon US President Barack Obama's energy plan and the actions taken, since his comin to power, and drew a parallel with India's national action plan, which includes a solar mssion. This was released last June, but hardly any action has happened on the ground. So, there needs be changes on this front as well.
Four key aspects for solar/PV in India
Dr. Madhusudan V. Atre, president, Applied Materials India and vice chairman SEMI India PV Advisory Committee, highlighted four major aspects while presenting his perspective on the solar/PV industry. These are:
* See the advantage SEMI India brings to India. It can help bring costs down, due to the involvement of the PV Group.
* A point Dr. Atre had highlighted to me about a year back -- that solar/PV is a great way to trigger manufacturing in India. He said that the solar/PV ecosystem will be a very important step in setting up a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
* What wireless did to telecom -- perhaps, solar/PV has a similar aim! It can get rid of transmission lines and actually take power to the people!
* The Indian government-academia-industry would need to work hand-in-hand.
More action from Indian government needed
The meet called for more action from the government of India, a more closer industry-government collaboration, as well as the need for financial institutions to pay more attention to the solar/PV segment in India.
The photo here shows from left to right: Dr. Madhusudan V. Atre, President, Applied Materials India; Dr. J. Gururaja, Renewable Energy Action Forum & Executive President, SEMI India; K. Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar; and Sathya Prasad, president, SEMI India.Touching on the rationale for this SEMI paper on solar/PV's landscape in India, Dr. J. Gururaja, Renewable Energy Action Forum and Executive President, SEMI India, said it was meant to project the solar/PV industry's perspective: where we are and what needs to be done! This is a first account report and will be followed by many other such reports.
He said: "Solar in general, and PV in particular, can address the challenges that we face today. Solar/PV has a special attraction. It converts solar to electricity without involving any moving parts."
He added that although the industry has been looking at the potential, the markets have not been expanding as expected. "We need to see what can be done and achieved. This report is a stock-taking exercise," he pointed out.
Case for solar/PV in India
Sathya Prasad, president of SEMI India, touched upon the case for PV in India. These include:
* The existing power deficit situation in many parts of the country.
* India's brisk economic growth implies rising energy needs.
* Overdependence on coal for electricity generation -- limited coal reserves and CO2 emissions.
* Overdependence on oil and natural gas imports -- it accounts for 7 percent of GDP and consequent energy security concerns.
According to him, India is abundantly endowed with solar radiation. So far, so good!
Key PV opportunities for India
According to SEMI's paper, the key PV opportunities for India lie in off-grid applications and grid-connected PV. The off-grid applications include:
* Basic lighting and electrification of rural homes.
* Irrigation pump sets.
* Power back-up for cellular base station towers -- approximately, there will be 2.9 lakh base station towers by the end of 2009.
* Urban applications -- such as street lighting, etc.
The opportunities in grid-connected PV exist in:
* The current grid connected PV generation capacity is very small.
* Existing power deficit and huge projected future need.
* The cost point of PV has been declining continuously with technology improvements and scale.
Benefits of PV in India
The benefits of PV in India extend well beyond addressing energy needs. For instance, renewable energy technologies create more jobs than any fossil fuel based technologies. It also creates jobs across the value chain -- from R&D to manufacturing, installation and maintenance. Sathya Prasad highlighted MNRE's point that about 100,000 jobs could be created out of PV.
PV also has the capability of transforming lives. About 450 million Indians today manage with kerosene/other fuels for very basic lighting despite its significant health and safety risks. In this context, special mention needs to be made of the Aryavarta Grameen Bank's home electrification program.
Challenges for PV in India
Evidently, a bunch of opportunities are awaiting India in the solar/PV space. However, several challenges need to be overcome as well. These would be:
* Need for closer industry-government co-operation.
* Need for standards.
* Need for collaborative, goals driven R&D.
* Training and human resources development
* Need for financing infrastructure and models.
So, what are the recommendations of this paper on solar/PV landscape in India, and further call to action? These are:
* Need to evolve a common government-industry vision to make India a world leader in PV.
* Develop financing infrastructure and models that will motivate large-scale PV adoption and investments.
* Expand development of PV in off-grid applications.
* Accelerate grid-connected PV generation on a large scale.
Call for low carbon growth strategy
"Low carbon growth path is universal now. To make that happen, there needs to be a political will," advised K. Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar, and chairman SEMI India PV Advisory Committee, while presenting his perspective on the solar/PV industry in India.
There has been little action on part of the government of India. "This needs to be implemented on the ground. We need policy and lifestyle innovation," he added. Subramanya cautioned that, "Too much of analysis will result in paralysis." According to him, separate budgets are required for a low carbon growth strategy. "Solar has tremendous potential. Even its learning curve is brilliant," Subramanya noted.
He added that if the European Union (EU) can make a low carbon journey so smoothly, then why not India? For instance, in Karnataka state alone, the demand is said to be 6700MW and a 10-11 percent peak shortage. We have 20-odd lakh Bhagya Jyoti and Kutir Jyoti units, and around 7,870-odd street lights. If a majority of these can be replaced by solar, it could lead to tremendous savings! This could be at least 57MW for a state like Karnataka. Apparently, all of this would require an investment of Rs. 52 crores and a payback time of two years.
"Why can't we develop a low-carbon growth path for every state in India? Imagine, what it can do for the other states," Subramanya highlighted. "If the power sector does not do well, it will hit the country's GDP!" Quite rightly so!!
Subramanya cited another example of solar water heaters in Karnataka. There are 32 lakh homes, of which about 5 lakh homes have solar water heaters. If more houses were to adopt these, it would result in a saving of 4,000MW of electricity! The Tata BP Solar CEO also called upon financial institutions to have a closer look at solar. Even the tariffs structure for solar/PV in India is not favorable enough.
He also touched upon US President Barack Obama's energy plan and the actions taken, since his comin to power, and drew a parallel with India's national action plan, which includes a solar mssion. This was released last June, but hardly any action has happened on the ground. So, there needs be changes on this front as well.
Four key aspects for solar/PV in India
Dr. Madhusudan V. Atre, president, Applied Materials India and vice chairman SEMI India PV Advisory Committee, highlighted four major aspects while presenting his perspective on the solar/PV industry. These are:
* See the advantage SEMI India brings to India. It can help bring costs down, due to the involvement of the PV Group.
* A point Dr. Atre had highlighted to me about a year back -- that solar/PV is a great way to trigger manufacturing in India. He said that the solar/PV ecosystem will be a very important step in setting up a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
* What wireless did to telecom -- perhaps, solar/PV has a similar aim! It can get rid of transmission lines and actually take power to the people!
* The Indian government-academia-industry would need to work hand-in-hand.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Indian fab policy gets 12 proposals; solar dominates
Just about 10 odd days ago, I had blogged about building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)! I had also mentioned how solar/PV will be the next big story in India, with BIPV right up there at the very top!
Well, according to a published report on India Infoline, the Indian semiconductor and fab policy has attracted 12 major proposals, worth a whopping Rs. 93,000 crores!
A Press Information Bureau (PIB) release says that the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India, has set up a panel of technical experts to evaluate the proposals.
The promoters will come up to the Appraisal Committee for sanction of subsidy under the scheme once they have reached the threshold limit of investment, as indicated in the guidelines of the Special Incentive Package Scheme.
A majority of these proposals -- ten (10) -- are for solar/PV. One proposal is for a semiconductor wafer -- from Reliance Industries worth Rs. 18,521 crores, and another for TFT LCD flat panels -- from Videocon Industries, worth Rs. 8,000 crores.
The 10 proposals for solar/PV are from: KSK Surya (Rs. 3,211 crores), Lanco Solar (Rs. 12,938 crores), PV Technologies India (Rs. 6,000 crores), Phoenix Solar India (Rs. 1,200 crores), Reliance Industries (Rs. 11,631 crores), Signet Solar Inc. (Rs. 9,672 crores), Solar Semiconductor (Rs. 11,821 crores), TF Solar Power (Rs. 2,348 crores), Tata BP Solar India (Rs. 1,692.80 crores), and Titan Energy System (Rs. 5,880.58 crores).
Does the Indian solar/PV story now start making some sense? It is very much in line to become the next big success story for India after the Indian telecom story!
Evidently, Reliance Industries is the major player in all of this, having proposed both a semicon wafer fab as well as a solar/PV fab. Lanco Solar, Solar Semiconductor, Signet Solar, Videocon, and PV Technologies are some of the other big players proposing to enter the Indian semiconductor/fab space.
Well, this is really great news for the Indian semiconductor industry! Further, it comes close on the heels of the announcement of the 3G spectrum policy and MNP policy by the government of India.
A few weeks ago, Dr. Madhusudan V. Atre, president, Applied Materials India, had mentioned that taking the solar/PV route was perhaps, a practical route for India to enter manufacturing. How true are those words!
Late June, I too had proposed, among others points, that Karnataka (and other Indian states) look at having some solar/PV fabs.
Dr. Pradip K. Dutta, Corporate Vice President & Managing Director, Synopsys (India) Pvt Ltd had also mentioned late June that it was too early to write off the Indian fab story. We now have the answer to that question of having fabs in India!
All of this should also excite those investors looking to enter India. The huge interest and subsequent proposals for solar/PV can also lead to India having some of its own solar farms as well!
The India Semiconductor Association should be congratulated for having made this happen. It is soon going to a year since the Indian government had announced the semiconductor policy. Now, with these mega proposals in place, maybe, we will see more investors in the Indian semicon and solar/PV fab spaces.
Top 10 Indian semicon companies review
Another interesting thought! Last year, around this time, I had prepared a list of the Top 10 Indian semiconductor companies. This particular blog has been among the most accessed.
Perhaps, a review is in order! Besides, several Indian players are beginning to make a mark, like Cosmic Circuits, SemIndia, etc. The list of August 2007 mostly had Indian design services companies. This feature of Indian design services companies dominating a top 10 list will probably continue for some more time, till all of these proposals bear fruit into concrete, productive fabs.
I am sure, with those mega investments coming into the Indian semicon wafer IC fab and solar/PV fabs, most of the companies would soon figure in any top 10 list!
Surely, 2009 should be quite exciting as all of this means a very positive future and outlook for the Indian semiconductor industry.
Well, according to a published report on India Infoline, the Indian semiconductor and fab policy has attracted 12 major proposals, worth a whopping Rs. 93,000 crores!
A Press Information Bureau (PIB) release says that the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India, has set up a panel of technical experts to evaluate the proposals.
The promoters will come up to the Appraisal Committee for sanction of subsidy under the scheme once they have reached the threshold limit of investment, as indicated in the guidelines of the Special Incentive Package Scheme.
A majority of these proposals -- ten (10) -- are for solar/PV. One proposal is for a semiconductor wafer -- from Reliance Industries worth Rs. 18,521 crores, and another for TFT LCD flat panels -- from Videocon Industries, worth Rs. 8,000 crores.
The 10 proposals for solar/PV are from: KSK Surya (Rs. 3,211 crores), Lanco Solar (Rs. 12,938 crores), PV Technologies India (Rs. 6,000 crores), Phoenix Solar India (Rs. 1,200 crores), Reliance Industries (Rs. 11,631 crores), Signet Solar Inc. (Rs. 9,672 crores), Solar Semiconductor (Rs. 11,821 crores), TF Solar Power (Rs. 2,348 crores), Tata BP Solar India (Rs. 1,692.80 crores), and Titan Energy System (Rs. 5,880.58 crores).
Does the Indian solar/PV story now start making some sense? It is very much in line to become the next big success story for India after the Indian telecom story!
Evidently, Reliance Industries is the major player in all of this, having proposed both a semicon wafer fab as well as a solar/PV fab. Lanco Solar, Solar Semiconductor, Signet Solar, Videocon, and PV Technologies are some of the other big players proposing to enter the Indian semiconductor/fab space.
Well, this is really great news for the Indian semiconductor industry! Further, it comes close on the heels of the announcement of the 3G spectrum policy and MNP policy by the government of India.
A few weeks ago, Dr. Madhusudan V. Atre, president, Applied Materials India, had mentioned that taking the solar/PV route was perhaps, a practical route for India to enter manufacturing. How true are those words!
Late June, I too had proposed, among others points, that Karnataka (and other Indian states) look at having some solar/PV fabs.
Dr. Pradip K. Dutta, Corporate Vice President & Managing Director, Synopsys (India) Pvt Ltd had also mentioned late June that it was too early to write off the Indian fab story. We now have the answer to that question of having fabs in India!
All of this should also excite those investors looking to enter India. The huge interest and subsequent proposals for solar/PV can also lead to India having some of its own solar farms as well!
The India Semiconductor Association should be congratulated for having made this happen. It is soon going to a year since the Indian government had announced the semiconductor policy. Now, with these mega proposals in place, maybe, we will see more investors in the Indian semicon and solar/PV fab spaces.
Top 10 Indian semicon companies review
Another interesting thought! Last year, around this time, I had prepared a list of the Top 10 Indian semiconductor companies. This particular blog has been among the most accessed.
Perhaps, a review is in order! Besides, several Indian players are beginning to make a mark, like Cosmic Circuits, SemIndia, etc. The list of August 2007 mostly had Indian design services companies. This feature of Indian design services companies dominating a top 10 list will probably continue for some more time, till all of these proposals bear fruit into concrete, productive fabs.
I am sure, with those mega investments coming into the Indian semicon wafer IC fab and solar/PV fabs, most of the companies would soon figure in any top 10 list!
Surely, 2009 should be quite exciting as all of this means a very positive future and outlook for the Indian semiconductor industry.
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