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?
Denne historien er fra October 1, 2017-utgaven av Down To Earth.
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Denne historien er fra October 1, 2017-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.
