MNRE along with the Indian Semiconductor Association (ISA) and IREDA organized a one-day seminar in New Delhi to share the details of the recently announced Unified Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Program to promote the use of decentralized SPV systems for various applications in rural/ urban areas and SPV roof top systems for diesel saving in urban areas.
The seminar was organized to share the view of the concerned stakeholders such as manufacturers of solar PV modules and equipment, system integrators, service providers, consultants, banks and financial institutions, and reputed NGOs on the programme. The main objective of the seminar was to initiate a government-industry interaction.
Welcoming the delegates, Mr. B.V. Naidu, Chairman, ISA said that it was good to be part of a new revolution taking place in India. He added: “We have seen the success of the Indian IT industry and the Indian semiconductor design sector. That the MNRE is organizing an industry interaction on solar photovoltaics is a step in the right direction.” Naidu noted that India has all the features required for becoming a successful solar country.
Addressing the delegates, Ms Gauri Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, MNRE said that the purpose of this interaction between the government and the industry is to give a loud and clear message to industry that “we would like to work with you as partners.” She said, “A large portion of the solar mission target will come from grid connected solar power. However, the off-grid opportunity is also huge. We have tried to open up our policy slightly and take the whole process forward by taking inputs from you and open up the policy for suggestions.” She further added that the MNRE was also working to see whether it could get the IREDA into a refinance operation with banks. There are schemes in place, where if anyone wants to work with a bank, a lot of incentives are available to the banks. Now, the ministry would like to see incentives being given to the manufacturers. She also called for a need to put out a third party monitoring system.
Dr B.M.S. Bist, Advisor, MNRE, said that solar PV is going to play a big role in assuring green technology in the country. He said that significant targets have been set for the SPV systems. The ministry has now tried to make new schemes. These will be presented to the delegates and their views are welcome. Those views will be compiled and the ministry will revert to the industry, so both of them can march together. Solar Mission will also be active from 14th November 2009.
Mr. Debashish Majumdar, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA, said “When solar PV started about 15 years ago in India, we had small manufacturers starting in garages, etc., and who have now grown to become very large companies. It gives us a lot of hope that things can be done very well here as well.”
“We look at solar from two aspects — off-grid and on-grid. We would like to see what kind of demand we can convert in the off-grid applications. The policy by MNRE has been made keeping the best interests of the industry in mind. We would like to get your feedback and see how best to get the market going.”
There were presentations on the following topics as well:
* Details of the solar PV off-grid program (rooftop systems) — Dr. AK Varshney, MNRE
* Details of the solar PV off-grid program (other applications) — Dr. A. Raza, MNRE
* Financing of IREDA schemes for solar — BV Rao, IREDA
Dr. A K Varshney, Director, MNRE spoke about the Solar PV off-grid program on Roof Top Systems which was announced in February 2009. He said that main focus of these systems was commercial complexes, malls, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes etc. Ministry has a set target of 4.35 MW rooftop SPV systems for the remaining period of 11th plan. Regarding the Central Financial Assistance (CFA), he said, “With the submission of a copy of DPR and delivery of the material at the site, ministry grants 50% of the subsidy amount in advance and rest of the subsidy amount is given after the commissioning of the project.” Recently, the ministry has sanctioned two projects - in Dehradun (100 Kwp) and in Serco BPO in Gurgaon (25 Kwp).
Dr. Ahmar Raza, Director, MNRE shared the scheme of Solar PV off-grid program on other applications which was announced in July 2009. He told about various financial assistance provided by the ministry for setting up Solar PV roof top systems. He also told about the incentives to Banks/Micro financing institutions for capacity building and other specified activities to extend loans to consumers for Home lights and other small SPV systems in villages.
Mr. B.V. Rao from IREDA told about various financial schemes provided by IREDA on solar. He mentioned various kind of loans provide by IREDA to different players in the industry. Like for manufacturers, IREDA provides a loan of upto 80% of the total investment and 20% is to be paid by the manufacturer himself. The interest rate is 12.75% and repayment has to be made in 10 years.
These presentations were followed by questions and views shared by the industry delegates with officials from the ministry.
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