india
india
Govt plans projects to overcome land problems for solar power
In the First Half of FY 2016-17 Solar Imports Grew by 47 Percent YoY and Exports by 12 Percent
“ The government has planned to overcome the challenge by launching the schemes like development of solar parks and ultra mega solar power projects, development of solar zones in the country and roof top solar projects,”
T o overcome the scarcity of land for expansion of solar energy in the country, government is planning a number of initiatives like development of solar parks, ultra mega solar power projects and solar zones. Minister for Power, Coal and New and RENEWABLE ENERGY Piyush Goyal said during Question Hour. Goyal said solar parks are common development areas for solar power projects and offer the developers location / land with prior approvals that is well characterised with proper infrastructure and access to amenities and where the risk of the projects can be minimised.
“ Under solar zone scheme, a large zone with solar radiation and other requirements is identified for solar projects. The land is to be arranged by the solar project developers. Under roof-top scheme, land is not required and rather projects are established at roof TOPS of the existing buildings,” he said.
T he first half of financial year( FY) 2016-17, import and export activity worth over $ 1 billion( Rs. 67 billion) was registered in the Indian solar sector, compared to $ 700 million( Rs. 44.5 billion) during the same period in 2015. During the six-month period, India exported solar modules and cells worth $ 52 million( Rs. 3.5 billion), and imported modules and cells worth $ 949 million( Rs. 63.5 billion). Compared to the same period in 2015, exports have increased by 12 percent and imports have grown by 47 percent. China continues to be the single largest exporter of solar modules and cells to India accounting for $ 826 million( Rs. 56 billion) of India’ s total solar imports with an 87 percent market share. Malaysia is the second largest exporter to India accounting for a $ 69 million( Rs. 4.7 billion) share of India’ s overall imports and a market share of 7 percent. According to developers who spoke to Mercom, unless India scales up its manufacturing capacity, cost of modules are not likely to come down. The United Kingdom was the largest importer of Indian solar modules and cells, accounting for 36 percent of India’ s total solar exports. According to Mercom’ s Global Solar Forecast November 2016 Report, with budgetary cuts and no policy support, UKsolar market is expected to decline. Italy accounts for 9 percent of exports, followed closely by China at over 8 percent.
www. EQMagPro. com EQ December 2016 41