EU-India to invest 10 mn Euros for solar power research

The European Commission and the Indian Department of Science and Technology have announced a joint initiative for solar power research for each side would contribute five million Euros (Rs 33.5 crore).    

Announcing the 'coordinated call' for proposals focusing on photovoltaics and solar power technologies, an EC statement said the initiative would span both Indian as well as European geographies.    

Both research institutions and industries were invited under this 'call' to submit proposals by November 30, under three topics: novel materials for thin film solar cells; concentrated photovoltaic systems; and demonstration of linear fresnel reflector systems.    

Daniele Smadja, Ambassador of the European Commission said: "this initiative is very significant for both Europe and India in meeting our future energy security needs as well as combating the challenges of climate change".    

Her colleague in Brussels, Raffaele Liberali, Director for Energy Research in the European Commission Directorate General for Research,said: "Cooperation between the EU and India in solar research is clearly of mutual benefit as international collaboration in energy research is essential to meeting our common challenges".

This call, which will result in separate but closely coordinated European and Indian research projects for each of the proposals which are accepted for funding, reflects the commitment of both sides to encourage cooperation between Indian and European researchers, it said.