Bringing affordable solar power on the doorsteps of common citizens and enabling Universal Energy Access seem to be the guiding force behind the unassuming, soft-spoken UPENDRA TRIPATHY, the Interim Director of the International Solar Mission. He speaks to MOUSHUMI BASU on the future of solar power in India and the world
With solar energy tariffs touching a new low at R2.44, what is likely to happen to the Indian energy market?
In fact, the tariff per unit of solar power is expected to fall further to R1.50 soon. This is happening due to falling capital costs and cheaper credit with assured purchase pacts. In India, the cost of capital per unit is 70 paise. This is certainly giving a big boost to our solar energy market. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has ambitious plans to scale-up solar applications in a big way for agricultural and rural use. There is an aggregated demand for 0.5 million solar pumps, 5 million street lights and 500 Mega Watt (MW) mini grids and other similar solar applications in ISA member countries of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, France, India, Nigeria, Mauritius, Seychelles, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Uganda. So, there is a flood of opportunities in the green energy market for manufacturers.
The big push for entrepreneurship in this sector began with RE-Invest 2015. This was the first major platform for investment promotion connecting the global investment community with renewable energy stakeholders in India. It generated a commitment for 266,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, of which the contribution of solar energy is 200,000 MW. We plan to hold the second edition of Re-Invest in December.
Since solar tariff is falling worldwide, will there be a saturation point in the future that may discourage manufactures from investing?
Esta historia es de la edición October 1, 2017 de Down To Earth.
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A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara
