Encouraged by the potential market for solar power, which is projected to grow to $70–100 billion up from $15 billion in 2007, more domestic firms have begun to foray into this segment. Giving a major thrust to non-conventional sources of energy, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced a new scheme for installation of megawatt capacity grid interactive solar power plants. The government expects to attract private investments worth Rs 10 billion ($254 million) in the next five years. Project developers will have to supply solar power generated from the added capacity to the national grid to avail of the benefits in the Eleventh Five-year Plan (2007–12). The government envisages capacity addition of 50 MW through solar energy.Schemes have been launched by the ministry, in addition to implementation of ongoing schemes to encourage large-scale use of solar energy in the country during the Eleventh Plan period. The new schemes include ‘Development of Solar Cities’ and ‘Demonstration Programme on MW size Grid Solar Power Generation’. The Centre has allocated Rs 6000 million for R&D in this segment during the Eleventh Plan.Tata BP Solar, XL Telecom, Moser Baer, WebelSL Solar, SunTechnics Energy, and Titan are among those companies with bigger presence and in the process of further expansion. Signet Solar, a manufacturer of silicon thin film photovoltaic modules, has recently announced plans to locate its second manufacturing site in the Sriperumbudur Special Economic Zone near Chennai. While companies like Reliance Industries Ltd and Astonfield Renewables Ltd are gearing up to set up solar power projects, the business of cell manufacture is attracting information technology players like Jupiter International Ltd. India's market for photovoltaic cells is estimated to be in excess of 100 MW at present.</sec></body><back><ref-list><title>Sources

TERI

TERI Newswire

0971-6661

The Energy and Resources Institute

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FROM THE DESK

Investing in the solar energy sector

16–3132008

14622

Encouraged by the potential market for solar power, which is projected to grow to $70–100 billion up from $15 billion in 2007, more domestic firms have begun to foray into this segment. Giving a major thrust to non-conventional sources of energy, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced a new scheme for installation of megawatt capacity grid interactive solar power plants. The government expects to attract private investments worth Rs 10 billion ($254 million) in the next five years. Project developers will have to supply solar power generated from the added capacity to the national grid to avail of the benefits in the Eleventh Five-year Plan (2007–12). The government envisages capacity addition of 50 MW through solar energy.Schemes have been launched by the ministry, in addition to implementation of ongoing schemes to encourage large-scale use of solar energy in the country during the Eleventh Plan period. The new schemes include ‘Development of Solar Cities’ and ‘Demonstration Programme on MW size Grid Solar Power Generation’. The Centre has allocated Rs 6000 million for R&D in this segment during the Eleventh Plan.Tata BP Solar, XL Telecom, Moser Baer, WebelSL Solar, SunTechnics Energy, and Titan are among those companies with bigger presence and in the process of further expansion. Signet Solar, a manufacturer of silicon thin film photovoltaic modules, has recently announced plans to locate its second manufacturing site in the Sriperumbudur Special Economic Zone near Chennai. While companies like Reliance Industries Ltd and Astonfield Renewables Ltd are gearing up to set up solar power projects, the business of cell manufacture is attracting information technology players like Jupiter International Ltd. India's market for photovoltaic cells is estimated to be in excess of 100 MW at present.</sec></body><back><ref-list><title>SourcesNewspapers: The Hindu Business Line, The Financial ExpressWebsites: http://www.indiaenews.com, http://www.commodityonline.com, http://www.earthtimes.org