Solarising power

India’s dream to get a grip in solar power generation isn’t impossible anymore
Energy landscape is changing, and there is no secret about it. Most countries are shifting their focus on renewable energy sources and trying to phase out fossil fuels.
Frost & Sullivan reports that revenues in global solar power market are expected to more than double by 2020, from $60 billion in 2013 to $137 billion. The report focuses more Asia which will account for 46 per cent % of annual installed solar capacity. China, Japan, India and Australia are top four countries to take the greatest leaps.
Solarised IndiaIndia, which is energised with Modi wave, is working towards making India a power surplus country by 2019.
The same is echoed by Arul Shanmugasundaram, Executive VP – Projects and CTO, Tata Power Solar. He says, “India has about 2.8 GW of solar electricity installed, but the new government is striving hard and plans to install 100 GW of solar energy by 2022. With the government’s support, India will not face any issues related to solar power generation for the next 5-7 years. There is growth of at least 10 crore, if not more.”
K N Subramaniam, CEO, Moser Baer Solar Ltd., is also very optimistic about India’s future in solar power. “There is enough land to set up solar projects, and there is enough demand for solar power in India,” he explains.
Subramaniam also points out the best thing about solar. “People don’t need to carry it to long distances; they can generate and consume,” he adds. “Solar energy is extremely relevant for India. In the next 5-7 years, the sector will experience huge growth in India.”
Private sector participationThe government along with its positives initiatives need to focus more on attracting private participation. There is a serious concern of lack of private sector participation in the power segment. Even there is believe in India Inc. — go anywhere, but not to power.“The Indian power sector has had its set of issues — be it for project approvals, environmental approvals, timeline for setting up the projects, or getting delayed due to various issues,” remarks Shanmugasundaram.

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