Thursday, February 20 2014: A solar lighting laboratory is a concept wherein scientists can test products with methods specified in the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) model for evaluating off-grid lighting products. With the partnered support from International Financial Corporation (IFC), TERI will upgrade it’s solar lighting laboratory into a super-contemporary testing facility using international standards.
The Energy and Resources Institute laboratory is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) along with the IFC. It is in agreement with quality procedures by the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL).
The lab will follow IEC guidelines. The IEC is the world’s leading organisation for the preparation and publication of International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
Quality assurance and strong testing program in the country is a way to build consumer confidence in solar products. The IFC’s Lighting Asia / India Program, is supporting TERI to upgrade and expand of its solar lighting laboratory, by designing it with-respect to international practices, equipping the lab with the latest technology and equipment, increasing the number of testing benches via training and technical support. These test methods were developed by IFC and the World Bank, before its acceptance by the IEC.
The lab will be a testing centre for the South Asia region. It is one of the first few labs, worldwide, that are designed to test products in-line with the process laid down by the IEC. It will provide to the testing needs of both rural and urban lighting infrastructure.
Dr RK Pachauri, director general, TERI, said, “It is significant that TERI has come up with this initiative, as this will bring quality solar products not just to people in India, but to all parts of the world. Rural electrification has a huge impact on water and power access. Earlier, the focus of rural electrification was on agriculture. We need a transformation where poor people in inaccessible areas are able to light up their lives. And lighting has today become an important component in rural electrification,” in an IndiaBlooms report.
He further added, “Solar energy and systems have the potential to meet the needs of people not just in rural areas, but semi-urban and peri-urban areas too. We are committed to sustainable energy for all, and sustainable lighting is an important part of challenge to meet our unique energy needs,” in the same report.
