India Shining at Solarcon India 2009

Hello folks, I am back! With Solarcon India 2009, where Photonics Media was also a media partner!

A lot happened there, yes a lot! I will try and devote the next few posts on the event as India is on the verge of a solar revolution – if things go well!

First, chief guest, K. Rosaiah, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. inaugurated the event by lighting solar LED lanterns, along with other invited dignitaries, which included K. Lakshmi Narayana, Minister of Heavy Industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Dr. Debesh Das, IT Minister, Government of West Bengal; B.V. Naidu, Chairman, India Semiconductor Association (ISA); and Dan Martin, Executive VP, PV Group, SEMI, USA.

Next, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy ISE and the University of Hyderabad Knowledge and Innovation Park (UoH KIP), in association with the India Semiconductor Association.

Proposed activities of collaboration between Fraunhofer ISE and UoH KIP include:

* Setting up of testing and certification facility.
* Designing appropriate training programs in solar energy.
* R&D center.

Following this, Prof. Eicke R. Weber, Director, Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy, was presented with the FABCity Excellence Award 2009 for his outstanding contribution in the field of solar photovoltaics energy.

Then came the pièce de résistance! The logo of the upcoming SolarCity at Anantapur was released by K. Rosaiah, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh! Located in Kadiri area of Anantapur district, SolarCity is spread over 10,000 acres of barren land. Located quite close to the Bengaluru International Airport (85 kms), this area has suitable radiation index for solar farms as well. This is a proactive government policy to promote solar power generation in the state. It is in synergy with FABCity, Hyderabad, a center for solar PV manufacturing.

Thereafter, allotment letters were handed over to the following companies by the Andhra minister:

* AES Solar, USA
* Lanco Solar
* Titan Energy
* Sunborne Inc., USA

Further, Moser Baer Photovoltaic Ltd. (MBPV), India's leading player in the solar PV field, was also allotted 100 acres of land on lease in FABCity SPV for setting up a crystalline-based solar cell manufacturing facility.

The message given out to the world was loud and clear: India is ready to be the next big destination for solar photovoltaics.

More in the next post!

Pradeep

Nov. 16, 2009