Thursday, September 26, 2013: While the world is looking at the developments in the Indian solar mission, K Sivadasan, one of the top researcher and renewable energy expert, opines that National Solar Mission is not able to recognise country’s true potential and is unable to focus on infrastructure related requirements to meet its objectives.
There have been several reports about the hurdles in the journey of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, which is country’s ambitious solar growth plan. Sivadasan said that the solar mission is not able to build on the potential available in the country. The researcher is a a retired top official for the Kerala State Electricity Board. Sivadasan has questioned the strategy of Indian solar mission, and has accused that due to inadequate provision for sufficient infrastructure to be installed, the mission may not meet its goal of 200 GW installed capacity by 2050.
According to a PV Magazine report, Sivadasan that the Indian Solar Mission does not have a global vision, which leaves less scope for creative entrepreneurship. He also urged an immediate revision of the mission’s road map.
The researcher also cited India’s rigid policy structures and lack of foresight and adaptability as the reason for mission’s slow progress. He quoted the example of Germany’s flexible and progressive approach, which is leading to a fast pace growth. While the case is reverse in India, he said that the nation is content with the idea of lower targets, despite receiving twice the amount of solar radiation as Germany. Commenting on the financial model of the mission, Sivadasan suggested that creating an environment where unscrupulous investors can manipulate project reports to generate undue profits.
