Call for research to cut cost of solar devices

At a time when the solar power sector is facing crises of falling price of the solar cells due to overcapacity globally, the Indian industry is looking for cheaper solar devices. The need to reduce the cost of solar devices to make it competitive for industrial growth was underlined by the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (Kassia) president A Vijaendranath.

"As the manufacturing cost of solar devices is high, research towards reducing the cost of solar devices is essential," he said, speaking at an awareness programme on the use of concentrating solar technologies (CST) for process heating and cooling application in industries and other establishments.

The programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd, Kassia, Bangalore, District Industries Centre and Mysore Industries Association (MIA).

With the rise in electricity cost, impetus was being provided for solar energy and other renewable energy systems. These are welcome measures of the Government of India. However, since the manufacturing cost of solar devices was high, research to reduce their cost was vital, he said.

"Solar energy, wind energy and other natural sources of energy should be produced at competitive rates to help industrial growth. If the power problem continues, industries and farmers will be adversely affected. Hence, to maintain the rate of development, cost of power has to come down for which solar energy is a promising solution," he said.

However, the Kassia chief was not in favour of nuclear energy. He observed India should do away with energy sources such as nuclear energy that pollute the environment. As burnt fuel of nuclear reactors continues to be radioactive for thousands of years, they pose a significant threat to our environment.

Pankaj Kumar, Deputy Project Manager, UNDP/GEF Concentrating Solar Heating Project, said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy was working towards reducing the cost of solar devices for both industrial and domestic use.

Speaking on CST, he said the technologies employ focussed-sunlight to generate heat and convert it into electricity. Vibhash Garg, Senior Manager, PwC, discussed the prevailing energy scenario in the country and the relevance of renewable energy for industry to move forward. He said, the objective of the MNRE-UNDP-GEF initiative was to promote the use of CST technologies for their process heating or cooling requirements via. extra support upto Rs 20 lakh for beneficiaries who employ such systems.

He invited interested industries to come forward and adopt such systems to support the society in reducing GHG emissions and help result in a sustainable future.

P Vishwanath, president, MIA, said, "It is a good opportunity for industrialists of Mysore who are using steam and refrigeration system for processing, to know and understand the usage of renewable source of energy and its applications. He gave the example of JSS Institutions which is already using solar steam systems for cooking meals in their hostels." Suresh Kumar Jain, General Secretary, MIA, appreciated the move of the government to choose Mysore for the first programme as the city was already declared as a solar city.