Solar energy is source for all forms of energy. India is a country that has tremendous solar energy potential. As the nation is facing an increasing demand - supply gap in energy, it is important to tap the solar potential to meet the energy needs .This trend is significant in the electricity segment that is heavily dependent on coal and other non-renewable sources of energy. The real potential in a sunny country to replace fossil fuels is solar: India has a renewable-energy potential of about 895 GW, of which 750 GW is solar. By 2022, solar energy could achieve grid-parity in India, meaning it would cost the same as other sources of electricity – although some reports suggest this might happen by 2018. That is the year, renewable-energy sector, primarily solar, could generate 1 million jobs – over 400,000 already exist.

India's National Solar Mission targets a cumulative solar capacity of 100 GW by 2022, with total renewable capacity targeted to be 170 GW by that date. Solar power is driving the growth in India's electricity generation as total installed solar capacity, including rooftop and off-grid projects, has crossed 9.23 GW – a figure that is expected to almost double by the end of 2017. Tamil Nadu has the highest installed solar energy capacity, followed by Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. These seven states collectively accounted for more than 80% of total installed capacity.

The Paris Agreement, which aims to hold temperature rise to below 2°C by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels, came into force on November 4, 2016, barely a month after India ratified the treaty on October 2, 2016. The 2016 Emissions Gap Report also states that despite full implementation of all the Paris pledges submitted by countries under their Nationally Determined Contribution, global temperatures are still set to rise to levels ranging from 2.9°C to 3.4°C. This means that countries must now go beyond their intended contributions if they hope to arrest global warming.

The government announced an ambitious scheme to double solar power generation capacity under the solar parks scheme to 40,000 MW by 2020; with about Rs 8,100 crore assistance to fund 30% of the initial project cost of developers. Also India's Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has put forward draft proposals to bring down the cost of its Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) to more affordable levels in a move designed to bolster distributed companies' (DISCOMs) ability to meet their renewable obligations.

Over the past few years, India's energy security has become a key driving force of its economic policy. With substantial expansion required in energy infrastructure, India now has the opportunity to create a clean energy industry to increase installed capacities while reducing the deleterious impact on human health, environment and the climate. Our country, India, is expected to add new solar capacity of 5.1 GW this year, which is a growth of 137% over last year and is expected to become the world's third biggest solar market from next year onwards after China and the US.

Talking about the “SEVEN HORSES OF ENERGY” – Coal, Nuclear, Hydro, Gas, Solar, Wind and Biogas – Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has declared that India's efforts should increasingly move towards the latter three. Considering India's solar potential, the government has rolled out various policies and subsidy schemes to encourage growth of the Solar Industry, which is expected to experience exponential growth in the coming years.

Roadmap for Innovations in Solar Energy - RISE 2017

The future of the solar industry depends on a combination of factors - technological advancements, new innovation in manufacturing and system design, reforms in the electricity market, collaboration with and support from electricity regulators and policymakers.

In order to discuss the above and related issues, Mission Energy Foundation with the support of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, is organizing a summit “Roadmap for Innovations in Solar Energy” - RISE 2017 to be held on 20-21 July 2017 at Hotel Taj, New Delhi. 

The theme of RISE 2017 is to discuss the recent innovations in solar photovoltaics and with its aim to assemble together the stakeholders of solar industry, academics and government authorities to exchange ideas on new innovations in generation of solar power by photovoltaics. Around 150 delegates from various industries are expected to participate, exchange ideas and part in the deliberations.

• Land availability for solar power plants, may pose a strain on India's already constrained land resource. Currently approximately 1 km2 (250 acres) for every 50 MW generated, this means additional land requirement of about 83,333 acres every year till 2022 from now.

• Deficit in manufacturing of quality & reliable indigenous PV cells at competitive prices.

• Present PV cell manufacturing capacity in India is 297 MW as against the target requirement of at least 15 - 20 GW addition every year to fulfil the target of 100GW by 2022.

• Further, states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu etc have not yet mandated any DCR in their policies.

• Huge investment is required for transmission; up-gradation of infrastructure in order to utilize power generated though Renewable Energy sources. 

• Adopting Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV)

• Entire manufacturing chain mostly dependent on import of components from other countries this is why the Government is encouraging backward integration to expand the chain of production in India and Indian manufacturers of solar technologies is expected to play a bigger role.

• And INNOVATION....

To be successful, a company has to differentiate itself from the crowd with groundbreaking ideas and technological innovations. Today more than ever companies need to make their products and services known to gain international recognition in the growing competition. Mission Energy Foundation strives to promote the industry's power to innovate. To this end, the Solar Innovation & Excellence Award - 2017 is being presented each year by the organizers Mission Energy Foundation with the support of industry associations. Over the years, the award has given solar companies a unique platform to distinguish themselves from the competition and prove just how innovative they really are.

The Solar Innovation & Excellence Award - 2017 will be held along RISE 2017, honouring innovative products and solutions for better development of the solar industry in the years to come ahead..

• 1 Delegate Passes for Conference
• Great Chance to Review your Business Practices
• Put your Business in Spotlight
• Opportunities to Network during Conference
• Recognition and Visibility
• Endorsement and Validation
• Support, Influence and Impact among Businesses
• Solar Innovation & Excellence Awards - 2017 (Recognising Innovations & Excellence in Solar Energy)