UNIDO, Centre to roll out 100 mw CST road map

UNIDO, in association with the New and Renewable Energy Ministry, is preparing a road map for 100 mw Concentrated Solar Thermal capacity in India to promote CST in the non-conventional energy segment.
"We are preparing a road map for 100 mw Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) capacity for the next five years in India," UNIDO's National Project Manager Anil Misra said.
It is expected to be completed within the next two months, he said.
CST technologies are sufficiently suited for heating, drying and cooling applications for industrial processes and useful for cooking and domestic purposes.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has shortlisted 14 sectors for their application that required heat energy directly, Misra said.

"About 250 CST systems, which are off-grid, are operating in India," said the ministry's Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor.

The ministry has provided 30 per cent subsidy for installation of CST, he added.
"Under the project, we are offering additional 5 per cent interest rate subvention. This 5 per cent is equivalent as additional 20 per cent subsidy and the net subsidy almost become 50 per cent," he said.
According to Misra, the project aims at facilitating the installation of 45,000 sq mt of installed CS collector area through 15-25 demonstration and 60 replication projects.
"UNIDO will provide USD 1.8 million for demonstration projects and to support manufacturing of CST component in India," he said.

About Rs 18,000-20,000 investment is needed for a square metre of CST area with single and double axis collector and Rs 12,000 are the estimated cost for non-imaging collector, Misra said.
One sq mt of CST produces 3.5-kilo calories. Solar themal's efficiency is around 40-50 per cent while the same for solar PV is about 15 per cent. Land requirement for CST project is one third of solar PV project.