Union Cabinet approves setting up of 'National Institute of Solar Energy'

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal for setting up of an autonomous "National Institute of Solar Energy" (NISE) to assist the Ministry and function as the apex national centre for research and technology development and related activities in the area of solar energy technologies in the country.

The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) is to be set up immediately by converting the Solar Energy Centre (SEC) Gurgaon with a long term vision to develop it as a world class institute.

Solar energy technologies are evolving continuously and the proposal to set up the National Institute of Solar Energy is an innovative idea which will accelerate the process to support induction of the latest technologies to ensure maximum cost benefit and lead to early commercialization. Solar power project developers will be motivated to use more efficient and optimized solar components.

A broad based national team in the form of a Review-cum-Strategy Formulation Committee would be set up with representation from industry, the scientific community, financial institutions etc. to prepare a blue print. This committee would look at various models available in the country and outside and prepare a roadmap for the Institute.

In order to enable this Institute to acquire the envisaged stature, reorientation of the present management system, better infrastructure and highly skilled manpower would be required.

Public private partnership with future investment coming from both Government and private sector would be important so that the activities can be expanded.

The setting up of an apex national centre for Solar Energy is a part of the JNNSM, which was considered by the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change in August, 2009.

The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) and other related proposals were approved by the Govt. in November, 2009.

While approving the JNNSM, the Govt. also approved specific targets and budget for the first phase of the Mission till March, 2013.

This includes R and D in solar energy, including setting up of a Centre of Excellence as an apex centre on different aspects of solar energy technologies.