Indo-German Energy Dialogue on Solar PV Market Development in India

A panel discussion on “Solar PV Market Development in India” jointly organized by Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO), National Solar Energy Federation of India and Bundesverband Solar was held on the 15 May 2019 at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany. Representatives from Government and key industry players from Germany and India discussed upcoming business models for solar rooftop, financing possibilities, public support schemes and tenders as well as trends in self consumption, meaning the consumption of self-produced energy rather than energy taken from the grid.. Well-known market players shared up to date sector insights directly from the Indian solar market. The event was attended by more than 70 sector specialists and investors.

Consul General, Mr Rajaram, Consulate General of India Munich, welcomed special guests Mr Jatindra Nath Swain, Managing Director, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Mr Wolfdieter Bōhler, Head of Division International Energy Cooperation, German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), Mr Jeevan K. Jethani, Director Solar, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Mr Pranav Mehta, Chairman, National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI).

Highlight of the event was the speech by the Managing Director of SECI, Mr Swain, who elaborated on the various successful auctions of solar and wind projects in the country. SECI has successfully tendered more than 12 GW of solar projects during the financial year of 2018-19; underlining India’s intentions to not only fulfil but to exceed India’s energy targets, aiming for 500 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030, of which 320 GW shall be solar energy capacities. India is very confident to remain one of the leading countries for renewable energy deployment in the future. Director MNRE Mr Jethani spoke of recently launched schemes such as KUSUM which aims to support farmers through providing them with Solar PV that can be used for agricultural means. To create more ownership for solar PV, it was found that India requires to extend its solar manufacturing centres with having the whole supply chain, from polysilicon to modules within the country.

Further topics were presented by several participants including promoting schemes for Solar PV Power Plants and PV Rooftop in India, O&M best practices as well as information about the status, drivers and challenges of the Indian PV sector. Especially Mr Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director from Bridge to India gave detailed insights into the current PV market development of India. His presentation can be downloaded here

IN