Solar Power

The formation of STFI re-emphasizes the potential of solar energy in
India. But when can we expect real action?

Mehak Chawla

Seems like the Sun God(s) are on a roll. Although there have been chants and
prayers since long, the true purpose of any God, that of enriching his/her
followers, is becoming clearer by the day for the Sun deities.

Much beyond pure reverence, the sun is now being used to light people's lives
literally. Solar energy is something that has been creating a buzz for a while
now.

Recognizing this, our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh launched the
Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission earlier in the year, with a clarion call
to the industry to create solar valleys on the lines of silicon valleys that are
spurring across the Indian IT industry.

The mission aims to achieve the target of 20,000 MW of solar energy
generating capacity by the end of the 13th Plan, which although sounds highly
ambitious is still doable-even the PM admitted this. It also targets 1,100 MW
grid solar power, 7 mn sq meters solar collectors and 200 MW off grid solar
applications in the first phase by 2013, and 20,000 MW grid solar power, 20 mn
sq meters solar collectors and 2,000 MW off grid solar applications by the year
2022.

Close to 55 percent greenhouse gas emissions are coming from the power sector
alone. And considering the demand there, the government is under tremendous
pressure to use green sources in the power sector, and look at renewable energy
in a big way.

However, while the relevance of the solar power industry is by no means
insubstantial to the country, it has been so far operating in a rather isolated
and un-coordinated manner. And well, with the formation and official launch of
Solar Thermal Federation of India (STFI), the start has been made.

Conceptualization

STFI, though it was launched only a few days back, has in fact gone through
a long ideation phase. The basic idea, of course revolved around bringing the
industry together under one umbrella.

However, the real purpose of the foundation was to tap the tremendous
potential for exploiting solar power that this country holds. During the last
several years, Jaideep Malaviya, CEO, STFI, has been involved in mapping up the
power hubs across the globe. During this process, he managed to figure out and
prove that India is not only an exciting market, rather it also holds extreme
potential in terms of deploying, manufacturing and utilizing solar thermal
energy.

In short, there is a lot of money to be made, and if the industry works in a
collaborative manner, then this money can be multiplied. And this is not about
manufacturers alone, though it is an association for them.

There is big use of technology involved both in the manufacturing and
installation of solar energy, and needless to say as we progress, this
technology is only yet to get more sophisticated.

The Mission

The pan-Indian not-for-profit body STFI has been launched to provide a voice
and platform for the Indian solar thermal industry. Although the main aim of the
Solar Thermal Association is to expand solar water heating, but also promote
applications beyond that.

Primary on the agenda of STFI is evolving an appropriate policy framework and
user-friendly financing mechanism to make this target realizable by working in
close coordination with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of
Power and Ministry of Urban Development. Another important focus would be to
enhance the competitiveness of the Indian solar thermal industry through
continuous investment in R&D besides market awareness/development. Taking the
focus beyond solar water heating in terms of solar thermal applications to
expand the market scope and horizons for constituent players is also on agenda.

One of the immediate action items of STFI would be to develop trained talent
pool which is proficient in installation and maintenance through a launch of a
common industry-accepted certification program on a pan-India basis.

Growth Potential

As per estimates, the installed solar thermal industry stood at 3.5 mn m2 as
of December 2009. According to some fresh estimates, it has already crossed the
5 mn m2 mark.

As of now, India holds only 1percent of the total global thermal
installation. However, according to some studies, this percentage could go up to
5percent in the coming half decade.

Courtsey: DQ