By Mumbai/Pforzheim/Freiburg, Germany | August 20, 2014 — Companies in the solar sector and the wider economy are pinning high hopes on the new Indian government that assumed power in May of this year.
While the first positive steps toward changes in energy supply are already being seen, the fundamental stance of the new administration and the Indian solar market will form one of the key topics at Intersolar India 2014.
From November 18 to 20, around 200 exhibitors will showcase the entire solar industry value chain covering photovoltaics (PV), PV production technologies, energy storage systems and solar thermal technologies.
Around 8,500 visitors from every corner of the globe are forecast to visit the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC) for this year’s event. For the first time, the Intersolar India Conference is also taking place there in parallel, and is expected to attract in the region of 700 attendees and 100 speakers.
For India, the replacement of the Indian National Congress (INC), the party that had governed the country for decades, marks a deep-rooted change. The prime minister now at the helm of the country, Narendra Modi from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is the first man to hold this office in 30 years who is not dependent on the support of other parties. As a result, it will be much easier for his government to vote in and implement its plans, which also gives cause for optimism in the solar camp.
Under his leadership as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi not only completely reformed the state’s energy supply system, he also promoted renewable sources of energy, and solar power in particular. 2009 saw the birth of the first solar energy incentive program introduced by an Indian federal state. Gujarat’s installed photovoltaic capacity now totals around 1 gigawatt (GW) – more than a third of the cumulative PV capacity installed in India.
In its election manifesto, the BJP promised to expand the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), the national incentive program. To date, 400 million people in India still have no access to electricity. The primary aim is therefore to have at least one solar-powered light in every house by 2019.
Technologies and trends in India’s solar energy supply
The fact that the new Indian government is giving so much precedence to solar energy is hardly surprising, as solar irradiation in the country amounts to between four and seven kilowatt hours (kWh) per square meter per day. With around 300 days of sunshine each year, India therefore has ideal conditions for overcoming its energy deficit with the aid of solar power in the future.
Since many regions currently have no working power grid, off-grid solar installations (or ‘microgrids’) also play an important role here alongside large-scale solar power plants. The technologies, products and services employed are this year being showcased from November 18–20 at Intersolar India by around 200 exhibitors in the fields of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, solar thermal technologies and energy storage systems.
During the exhibition, many exhibitors will introduce their products and services in thirty-minute presentations on the Presentation Stage in hall 5, providing visitors with a concise overview of the latest technologies and trends. The honoring of exemplary solar projects with the presentation of the Intersolar AWARD in the Solar Projects in India category is a highlight of the exhibition. Entries for the Award can be submitted until September 12, 2014 under www.intersolarglobal.com/award.
Conference and exhibition under one roof for the first time
This year, the exhibition conference are taking place for the first time under one roof at the Bombay Convention Centre (BEC). This will allow for easier, more in-depth exchange between exhibition and conference attendees. Featuring 100 international speakers, this year’s conference is also focusing largely on the positive prospects for the Indian solar market.
A session on the first conference day is devoted to the national PV market and the individual federal states. By way of contrast, a further session on the same day focuses on international markets in Europe, the MENA region and Asia. Another series of presentations additionally highlights current developments and applications in the solar thermal market. A set of presentations on the second day of the conference addresses the latest situation and market outlook for off-grid installations in India.
As well as market developments, the conference agenda also highlights practical knowledge of technologies and applications. Several sessions deal with the development, financing, safety and operation of large-scale PV power plants, as well as with training specialist staff. In addition, further presentations focus on industrial and commercial roofs, solar/diesel hybrid systems and the topic of energy storage. Parallel networking events give attendees the opportunity to develop business relations and forge new contacts.
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