APL Apollo
IIF EPC World Hindi

The future looks promising for the solar sector

Our country is set to become the 4th largest solar energy producer in the world, in conversation with EPC World, Kuldeep Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Vikram Solar

India has an impending need to build renewable energy infrastructure to nurture its economic growth? What are your views on this?

Indian economy is growing at a fast pace, and so is the country’s population. Both these elements are major contributors in the increase of power consumption. To fulfil such demand and to keep up its low carbon emission mandate, the government announced a target of 175 GW of renewables by 2022.

India is home to 40% of the world’s un-electrified population, which makes the electrification problem quite serious in our country. To top this, one in three Indians relies on sources like kerosene, diesel or biomass, all of which contribute to indoor and outdoor pollution. Indoor air pollution, primarily attributed to usage of kerosene, ranks second among major silent killers, according to the Global Burden of Disease report. Keeping these hazardous consequences in mind, it is essential to bring clean and safe energy to people in all parts of the country.

The present government has laid down ambitious plans to build India renewable energy. Do you think the plans are achievable and what are the policy changes which are required to turn these plans into reality?

Our government has understood the need of the hour and set up a plan to increase the use of renewables as a source of energy. A general conducive environment for solar has to be created in the country to fully realise these targets- in terms of financial incentives, technological know-how, low-cost business models, uniform policy and regulatory framework. In addition to this, setting up proper infrastructure, evacuation system, special incentives for solar projects, prompt and fast land allotment are also required.

It should be noted that the quality of modules used in solar plants will define India’s solar future. Investors and financers stand to gain the most from PV systems over the long-term, but also face risk to lose if modules fail to perform.  Therefore, it is needless to say that module needs to be of highest international quality and standard. At this critical point in India’s solar mission, it is necessary to instil and build investor confidence. One step in this direction is to lay out a Quality Assurance Program by setting high quality “official quality parameters” for each of the components.

What are the major challenges for the infrastructure growth in India?

Infrastructure is the key to the growth of any economy. India’s extensive infrastructure needs are ever-expanding today but decades of under-investment have left the country with dire deficits in such critical areas as roads, railways, ports, airports, telecommunications and power generation.

There is no easy fix for India’s infrastructure situation. By some estimates, $200 billion a year would be needed to tackle the problem. A fundamental shift must occur in the way the country looks at developing its infrastructure, and financing it. Need of the hour is to identify where government is needed and where the private sector will be better positioned.  Having said this, there is hope on the horizon! Recent measures such as announcement of smart grids and focus on renewable energy as a sustainable power source have instilled confidence.

An increased spending in this sector has a multiplier effect on overall economy as it dictates industrial growth and manufacturing. Infrastructural improvement in the above mentioned areas will take India’s rank higher on the Ease of doing Business Index.

Is the government encouraging research & development, innovations in terms of new products & technologies in the sector? How more can be achieved?

The Indian government is encouraging R&D in solar at a huge level. SECI has plans to set up a calibration facility for solar radiation measuring sensor and a 2.5 MW demonstration plant. There is also a dedicated website initiated by the government for information about solar power and development in the sector.

The government can create specific training centers for helping create a work force for this sector. They can also provide courses in universities to make the next generations understand and take up solar as a career choice. For the Indian market storage is the main issue so government can encourage R&D in the storage options.

The government should introduce a Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF) similar to the one that’s applied in the textile industry to implement latest technologies available and to create a globally competitive market.

What is the role Vikram Solar would be playing in the India Infrastructure growth story?

Vikram Solar is all set to contribute to the infrastructure growth to its full potential. We are already part of a lot of firsts in the Indian scenario. We were the first to bring in floating solar technology in India and were part of the first fully solarized International airport in the world in Kochi. We were the first to bring in PERC technology to India. We are always ready to do more for our country and want to be the front runners in making it the world’s number one economy.

Tell us about the Indian solar photovoltaic market, how big is the market, challenges faced by solar photovoltaic manufacturers, latest product innovations and future trends?

The Indian photovoltaic market is still at a developing stage, but the expansion rate is very high. The 100 GW solar aim and the governments initiatives to achieve it are keeping us all charged up. The future looks promising for the solar sector. Our country is set to become the 4 th largest solar energy producer in the world.

Currently there a few hiccups in the pathway which need to be ironed out as far as the market is concerned. There needs to be a policy put in place to control dumping and cheaper imports that hamper the overall quality and balance of the market. Quality standards need to be defined to ensure long lasting projects.

 Lower LCOE will be the trend of the future, which will encourage more people to go solar. There also will be a significant breakthrough in battery storage capacity.

What are the major projects with Vikram Solar?

Vikram Solar has commissioned over 130 projects so far. We were the first in India to implement floating solar technology. We have 3 prestigious airport projects in our kitty, and are the proud contributors of world’s first fully solarized International airport in Kochi.

Major projects underway are 130 MW plant for NTPC in Rajasthan and 50 MW in Madhya Pradesh.

Vikram Solar has successfully made foray into the Japanese market. Would you detail us the product requirements of this market and how do you see expanding your presence there?

Japanese market is highly technologically driven. The products need to be superior quality and latest in technology. We are basically competing in a quality driven market where no Indian company has ventured before. To be able to enter the market speaks for itself the quality of our products. Currently our key focus is on increasing the sales in Japanese market along with the US.

How do you see government taking on WTO ruling against India’s local content rules?

Currently it is too early to comment on the issue since we are confident that the government will appeal against the WTO ruling.

Do you think India will achieve its solar power target for 2022, what can be done to bridge the expected deficit?

The Solar mission is growing rapidly and grid parity has almost been achieved in many parts of the country. We are heading ahead to reach our goals at a very fast pace. The focus now has to be on other power related issues. Our rural population is still surviving without electricity or facing regular power cuts. We should try better distribution networks since the main issue here is the lack of sub stations and proper transmission & distribution networks. Evacuation grid stability is also a major issue and causes major problem when a large amount of RE gets into the grid.

What would you say about the alleged unregulated imports of solar equipment to India? How big a threat is this for the domestic solar industry?

The industry is now at a nascent stage, but a few years down the line the cheaper imports will hamper growth of the local industry and affect the quality of the projects in which they are being used.

What are the plans for the further manufacturing capacity augmentation at Falta plant?

Our Falta plant currently has an annual rated capacity of 500 MW. We are planning to expand it to reach 2 GW by the end of 2019.

 




  • About Us

    EPC World Media Group is a one stop knowledge information hub for Infrastructure, EPC and Construction sector. It strives to promote, propagate and assist the decision and policy makers from government and private organizations along with the technology developers and service providers to enhance and develop their capabilities. EPC World Media facilitates knowledge transfer to grassroots and strengthens their productivity.....

    Read More.....
  • Featured Videos

  • Connect Us