The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released the draft guidelines for PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana which is aimed at installing rooftop solar (RTS) plants in one crore (10 million) households
Pradip Sen Alternative and green energy resources like hydropower, wind power, biomass, fuel cell, solar PV, geothermal and other unconventional resources constitute a high potency growth segment. In India, green energy generation has been on the priority list for quite some time, but its potential is yet to be realised because many unhelpful conditions affect viability of green energy. Inadequate power distribution networks, high cost of generation and absence of focussed approach are impediments in making green energy a preferred alternative.
The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) Saligao, will be holding the Major State Level Workshop on Accelerated Promotion of Solar water Heating Systems in Domestic, Industrial and Commercial Sectors by Sensitization of Banks/Financial Institutions and other State holders at 10 am on May 21, 2008 which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister of Goa, Digambar Kamat in the distinguished presence of Chief Secretary/Chairman (GEDA) and Secretary (Non Conventional Energy Sources).
AUSTRALIA is taking a wrong path by offering subsidies to install solar rooftop panels, instead of promising households high prices if they sell excess power to the grid, a leading German MP has warned. Hans Josef Fell, the Greens' energy spokesman and co-author of Germany's pathbreaking Renewable Energies Act, said renewable energy now made up 14% of Germany's electricity generation, mainly due to good prices for selling excess power.
The solar power industry is predicting a dramatic decline in people installing solar panels, causing millions of dollars in lost business and job losses, after the Federal Government made it harder for households to receive an $8000 rebate. Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced in the budget that only households earning less than $100,000 would qualify for the rebate, effective immediately. It follows a surge in applications - up to seven times more a week, businesses say - since the Howard government doubled the rebate from $4000 to $8000 a year ago.
ALREADY acknowledged as one of the leaders in environmentally-friendly construction, India could surpass the United States within four years to become the country with the most space covered by 'green buildings', according to the agency that sets standards and certifies eco-friendly realestate development. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), which today has about 110 million sq ft of green real estate registered with it, is targeting a nearly ten-fold increase in eco-friendly property development to a billion sq ft, the council's chairman Prem C Jain said.
The economic slowdown, regulatory conflicts and competition from China pose the main risks to future growth of the solar industry, the head of the European Photovoltaic Industry Associations told Reuters. "The two key elements for me are the regulatory conflict in Europe, particularly in Germany with the revision of the feed-in law, and globally the economic slowdown," Adel El Gammal, secretary general of EPIA, said in an interview.
With the tariff for generation of power through solar energy being fixed at an attractive rate of Rs 15.96 per unit by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), the state is confident of attracting top corporate houses to set up solar power projects.
A large number of solar power panels installed at road traffic signals all over the Capital have been carted away by thieves in recent weeks and months. This has not only left most road crossings dependent on regular power supply for operation but also led to a situation where the authorities no longer have the solar option to ensure round-the-clock operation of signals at important junctions.
HIGHER subsidies for Victorians installing solar panels on their homes would put a significant burden on low-income families, Premier John Brumby has warned. Backing a cabinet decision to pay households for feeding solar power into the electricity grid, announced in this week's budget, Mr Brumby said the new solar "tariff" was the highest in Australia. Yesterday, The Age revealed that debate over the solar payment had sparked heated clashes between senior cabinet members Energy Minister Peter Batchelor and Environment Minister Gavin Jennings.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned 15 solar power plants of 1 kilo watt power each in 13 sub-divisions of DHBVN, Sirsa and in two sub-divisions of DHBVN, Faridabad. This step would help to meet the power requirements, besides creating awareness among the masses about the generation of power through solar photovoltaic technology.
