Welcoming the guidelines for off-grid and roof-top solar applications, launched by Non-Renewable Resources minister Farooq Abdullah in the capital on Wednesday, solar industry leaders have expressed the hope that the government would soon follow up with guidelines for grid-connected solar power projects.
Saying that its a step in the right direction, K Subramanya, CEO, Tata BP Solar added, “Given the size of the country, we need to not only think big, but also act big. The forthcoming norms for grid-connected solar power projects would lead to the big leap in our energy security quest.” Agreeing with him, Rajiv Arya, CEO, solar business, Moser Baer India Limited, added, “The norms are very encouraging for the industry, giving the hope that the solar mission is on the right trajectory.”
Solar industry body, Solar Energy Society of India, too welcomed the guidelines. While the society president Ajay Prakash Shrivastava said the emphasis on solar thermal is good to promote this fledgling segment, the society director-general Jagat S Bawa emphasised that the focus on India made modules will promote the domestic industry.
Earlier launching the guidelines, Abdullah said, “The guidelines are flexible and market friendly. They seek to address four critical areasaccess to rural households for lighting and daily power requirements, reduction in consumption of kerosene and diesel, energy demand management through solar thermal systems and improvement of efficient transmission by feeding power at consumption points.” The norms require project developers to apply between July 15 and August 16, 2010.
Source: The Financial Express
Published on 22 June 2010