Perspectives on the semiconductor ecosystem—the solar route
yield, etc. India, Minimal validation/certification from
having established the government side would allow people
itself as a world to use new technologies—the government
power in software has little to lose since the government only
development and pays if the electricity generated works.
management, Two models of feed-in-tariffs should
will be the ideal be considered: allow developers to take
platform to add the accelerated 80% depreciation and
this very critical the carbon credits from the plant and, to
dimension in the encourage small entrepreneurs or when
manufacturing technology choice is not clear, do not allow
scenario. accelerated depreciation but higher tariff.
The feed-in-tariff policy term should have a
Initiatives to 20-year timeframe.
encourage solar The government should assure that the
panel manufac-
utility will buy ALL output from the solar
turing
farm at all times, and grid development
Several initiatives
monitoring will be designed to make this
could encourage
happen.
solar panel manu-
A policy should be developed that
facturing in India,
allows home owners to put solar panels
such as availability
in their homes for self use. Allow home
of land with good
owners to feed power into the grid as well,
transportation
with net metering capabilities. Home
infractstructure—
owners’ overall rates would be determined
suitable highways
by the “net” slab that they come under. A
or ICD, easy access
policy for a higher tariff for the solar power
to port; a good
fed into the grid can be developed, much
power infrastructure
like Germany’s policy. This will further
(uninterrupted and
encourage homes to put in solar power.
high quality) at
reasonable costs, or policy mandates
subsidized; ground Policy mandates can further encour-
water availability; a age solar panel manufacturing and the
Figure 2. The “Soleckshaw,” a solar operated cycle rickshaw developed by the transparent process creation of solar farms. All utilities should
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). India has an estimated
for land allocation be required to buy 10% of their power
eight million cycle-rickshaws. (Source: Photo Division, Ministry of Information &
with reasonable from non-hydro-based renewables, with an
Broadcasting, Government of India)
land costs; pre- allocation for solar for 5%. Higher prices
approved SEZ (land can be compensated without impacting
supply of coal based reserves, solar is a very allottees would the common man’s pricing by keeping
viable alternative. India needs to look at not have to get additional SEZ approv- the rates at the lower slabs the same and
alternative renewable energy sources in a als); single window clearance for state increasing the rates at the higher slabs of
big way. approvals; a fast process for environmental utilization.
As there are widespread applications certification; locations near major cities, to A regulatory commission could be
of solar power, both on and off grid, there attract people to work there; and relaxation formed to implement differential tariffs
will be a growing demand for solar cells/ of VAT/CSD, etc., for good sold out of the for power for “luxury use,” such as for
modules/systems—both for export, and location. malls, bill boards, etc. All new high end
domestic consumption. Studies show that Being a late starter means something residential and commercial buildings
the present 0.1% contribution of solar stronger is needed relative to other states, should be required to have 5% of
energy to the present pool will grow to in order to attract players. photovoltaic power in order to receive
about 60% by 2100. The natural extension building permits.
would be to solar farms, which could be a
Initiatives to encourage use of solar
Additional tariffs should be placed on
source of commercial solar power.
panels for generating power—solar
diesel and furnace oil for power generation
The solar industry will integrate into
farms
for industry and home use by levying either
the NAPCC (National Action Plan on
Grid connectivity readily available for any-
carbon tax or pollution tax, driving those
Climate Change) and the Solar Mission
one to feed power into the grid, particular
markets towards renewables and solar.
therein, as brought out by the Prime
in areas where land is cheap, and feed-in-
Finally, under education policy, foster
Minister of India in June 2008.
tariff policy for utility scale would encour-
corporate-sponsored programs to ensure
Finally, advanced and highly technical
age the creation of solar farms.
that every school is powered with solar
manufacturing industries (automotive,
The feed-in-tariff policy would
so every student can use the computers
pharmaceutical, semiconductor, etc)
provide generation-based incentive to the
provided. Leverage union government
are becoming increasingly dependent
developer. If open bidding was allowed, the
education funds to support this initiative,
on software to optimize their process,
output would be driven by economics.
particularly in remote areas.
12 – Global Solar Technology – May/June 2009
www.globalsolartechnology.com
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