National Solar Summit in Lucknow Organized by Emphasizing Solar as the Way forward

All India Solar Summit-2018” (AISS-2018) is inaugurated by Mr Brajesh Pathak, Hon’ble Minister Renewal Energy U.P. at IIA Bhawan Complex, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.  This is of the Biggest Solar Exhibitions of India where 63 Solar Companies from 9 States have displayed their products & services related to Solar Energy.

In his inaugural address Mr. Brajesh Pathak said that before the present BJP Govt. in the State Renewal Energy was not in the priority list of the previous Governments. The Renewal Energy Department of Govt. of U.P. realized the concern of Hon’ble Prime Minister for Carbon emission & with the directives of Hon’ble Chief Minister we have assigned a top priority to reduce carbon emission through promotion of production and use of Solar Energy. Accordingly Department of Renewal Energy Govt. of U.P. have come out new solar policy in the month of Dec. 2017.  We have targeted to generated 10700 Megawatt Solar Power by 2022 out of which 4300 Megawatt will be generated through Rooftop Solar Plants and 6400 Megawatt will be generated through Grid connected big & medium scale Solar Power Plants. To achieve this target we are going to float the tenders for generation of 1000 Megawatt Solar Power in March 2018. Shri Pathak said that if you by any equipment for our house hold purpose its depreciations start from day one. Contrary to this if you install a Rooftop Solar Plant its starts giving you benefits in terms of reductions in your energy bill from dayone. Moreover the maintenance cost of rooftop plants is negligible. For setting up rooftop solar plants Govt. of India provide subsidy to the extent of 30% and Govt. of U.P. is also providing support as per the new solar policy.

Mr Brajesh Pathak said he is happy to note that India Industries Association this Solar Exhibition continuously since 5 years. This not only benefits the Solar Energy Companies but the consumers of Solar Energy are also benefited.  The Exhibitors & Visitors from all over country are taking parts in this solar summit which is a matter of pride for all of us in the State Capital Lucknow. This Solar Summit will help in setting up manufacturing units for Solar Equipment’s and materials and hence will help in the mission of Hon’ble Prime Minister & Hon’ble Chief Minister U.P. for Make in India & Make in U.P.

National President IIA Shri Sunil Vaish in his welcome address said that after so many years IIA & the Entrepreneurs of U.P are feeling that Govt. of U.P.is serious & committed for the development in industries in U.P. Indian Industries Association is organizing the Solar Summit for 5 year now but this year Solar Summit is unique because it being held immediate after the conclusion of U.P. Investor Summit where large number of proposal have been received for setting up Solar Energy Power Plant in the State. As on date U.P. is not a leading State in Solar Energy Production but I am sure in coming years with the efforts of Govt. of U.P. and Indian Industries Association (IIA) U.P. will acquire the status of a leading state in this sector. IIA assures the Govt. of U.P. its full support in achieving the target of generation of 10700 Megawatt Solar Power by 2022.

In his keynote address Mr Vishnu Agarwal, CMD, Technical Associates Ltd. said that in the year 2017 Solar Power generation registered a speedy growth however we have two execrate this growth further. As on date 20000 Megawatt Solar Power is being generated in the Country out of which 10000 Megawatt generation capacity was installed in the year 2017 however it is also to be noted that 57% of the Solar Power capacity added in 2017 is from 3 states only i.e. Telengana, Andrapradesh & Karnataka. If all other states in the Country also put in the efforts like these 3 states the target of 1 Lac Megawatt Solar Power generation can be achieved before 2022. The growth of Solar Power generation is associated with certain barriers such as regulatory issues and distribution network etc. we have to address these issue simultaneously. We have to work speedily for developing new & efficient technologies for solar energy storage because solar energy is generated during the day only. The cost of capital for setting up solar power plant is also very high at present therefore Govt. should come out with the promotional policy to give the status of a priority sector for solar energy sector. We have to be watchful on the quality of rooftop solar power plant and hence there should be a system of rating & certification for which industry association such as Indian Industries Association may come forward to provide such certification which is globally accepted. Implementation of GST in India has its advantages but  it has affected the solar energy sector adversely  mainly because of application of higher rate of GST on solar components & materials said Shri Vishnu Agarwal.

Inaugural session was compared by Shri K.K. Agrawal, General Secretary IIA  & vote of thanks was delivered by Shri Tariq Hasan Naqvi, Co Chairman Solar Energy Committee IIA.