NVVN Releases List of Solar Projects

First, the big news from India! NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN) recently put out the list of selected solar projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru-National Solar Mission (JN-NSM). In all, there will be 37 projects in phase 1, batch 1.

I am sure most of you are aware of India's JN-NSM. If not, let me again refresh your memories. Late last year, the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had released the JN-NSM document, which aims at building India's energy future – with a huge thrust on solar PV. It is meant to create an enabling policy framework for the deployment of 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022!

Therefore, the targets of the JN-NSM are quite clear and, well, huge!

Targets set for development of solar power under JN-NSM:
Installed Capacity (MW)
     • Phase I (up to 2013) – 1100 MW
     • Phase II (up to 2017) – 4000 MW
     • Phase III (up to 2022) – 20,000 MW

Some other targets of the JN-NSM include:
     • Create favorable conditions for solar manufacturing capability, particularly solar thermal for indigenous production and market leadership;
     • Promote programs for off-grid applications, reaching 1000 MW by 2017 and 2000 MW by 2022;
     • Achieve 15 million square meters of solar thermal collector area by 2017 and 20 million square meters of solar thermal collector area by 2022;
     • Deploy 20 million solar lighting systems for rural areas by 2022.

During this year's Solarcon India 2010, industry observers correctly arrived at the conclusion that the timely implementation of phase 1 of the JN-NSM is going to be critical for its success. The ambitious target for achieving 20,000 MW or more by 2022 will also be dependent on the ‘learning’ of the first two phases.

Well, the NVVN recent announcement couldn't be better timed! It is quite a long list with a lot of names, which is not possible to be added here. In case you wish to hear more about it, you can leave a message for me.

Coming back to the Indian solar/PV industry, the MNRE has stressed on the need to develop an indigenous solar PV manufacturing capacity and build a service infrastructure. Strong emphasis is being placed on R&D, and correctly so. Notably, the Indian government is working toward tackling issues involved with project financing as well.

All the right steps and noises are currently being taken and made in the Indian solar PV industry. If these aren't enough, Germany's TÜV Rheinland recently opened South Asia's largest PV testing lab in Bangalore!

Pradeep