PM launches India's solar mission

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, with a clarion call to industry to create 'Solar Valleys’ on the lines of Silicon Valleys that are spurring the Indian IT industry across India.

“These valleys will become the hubs for solar science, engineering and research, fabrication and manufacturing, and Indian industry should see the Solar Mission as a huge business opportunity,” Dr. Manmohan Singh said while launching the mission and inaugurating the Solar Energy Conclave 2010 organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and FICCI.

Terming the mission as one of the major priorities of the second term of the government the Prime Minister congratulated Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Shyam Saran for the work they have done in bringing this to fruition. Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State (I/C) for Environment and Forests were also present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said that the Mission has the potential to provide significant multipliers in our efforts for transformation of India’s rural economy.

“We intend to significantly expand such applications through this Mission,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the target of 20,000 MW of solar generating capacity by the end of the 13th Plan period was ambitious, adding that “I do sincerely believe that the target is doable and that we should work single-mindedly to achieve it as a priority national endeavour.”

Dr. Farooq Abdullah, in his key note address, observed that the solar mission envisages major participation of private sector by setting up grid connected solar power projects on Build Own and Operate basis.

The mission targets 1,100 MW grid solar power, 7 million sq meters solar collectors and 200 MW off grid solar applications in first phase by 2013, and 20,000 MW grid solar power, 20 million sq meters solar collectors and 2,000 MW off grid solar applications by the year 2022.

Salient features of national solar policy

-To ramp up capacity of grid-connected solar power generation to 1,000 MW by 2013

-An additional 3,000 MW to be connected to the grid by 2017 through the mandatory use of renewable purchase obligation by utilities

-States buying solar power to get equivalent quantum of thermal power free

-To install 20 million solar lighting systems in rural areas by 2022

-To install 20 million square metres of solar panel

-Gradually make solar heaters compulsory

-Provide soft loans to support manufacturing capacities and reduce cost further

-Ensure effective mechanisms for certification of manufacturers of solar thermal applications

(With inputs from IANS)