Solar innovation: Govt-industry collaboration to build bright economy illuminated by sun’s rays – ET Government

Blog 5 min read Solar innovation: Govt-industry collaboration to build bright economy illuminated by sun’s rays The potential for innovation and positive change is limitless as the nation embraces cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. By developing smart grid technologies and promoting standardisation and interoperability, collaboration between governments and industries can drive the development of these standards as well. Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns have made climate change a serious problem in the modern age. Ignoring these challenges has an adverse impact not only on the environment but also on the livelihoods of future generations. In the current battle against climate change, solar energy, with its potential to harness the abundant power of the sun, holds the key to a cleaner and greener world. However, unlocking this potential requires more than just technological advancements. It calls for a supportive environment created by government policies and industry experts. This is where government-industry collaboration became the driving force behind solar energy innovation. They have implemented several initiatives to address ongoing issues and meet the net-zero target. In fact, despite the current government’s commitment to climate action, the collaboration is focusing more on developing new solar innovations and increasing access to solar energy for all communities, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. More efficient : Maximising energy output and lowering dependency on conventional grids are achieved by converting more sunlight into electricity. Cost-effective : Though the adoption of sustainable solutions has dropped costs in many ways, more cuts are required to make solar energy affordable for a larger group of people and encourage widespread adoption. More diverse : The business is now dominated by silicon-based solar panels, but diversification into substitute materials can certainly result in improvements in cost and efficiency. Improved integration : To handle variations in energy production and effectively integrate solar energy with the current infrastructure, smart grid technologies have become a necessity rather than a luxury. Government funding : Public funding can support high-risk, fundamental research that private companies might shy away from. This fosters a spirit of exploration and lays the groundwork for future commercialisation. In fact, by fueling R&D programs, the collaboration can power the innovation wave that drives advancements in solar innovation, efficiency, and manufacturing techniques. Industry expertise : Private companies bring their technical know-how and market knowledge to the table. They can translate scientific discoveries into practical applications, ensuring innovations are commercially viable and meet consumer needs. As a result, collaborations allow researchers and businesses to work in tandem, paving the way for new trends to have a clear path in the market. Shared goals : Both governments and industries share a common interest in a sustainable future powered by clean energy and net-zero targets. This is where collaboration fosters a shared vision and commitment, leading to a more focused and efficient approach to solar energy innovation. Though this is not it, to achieve the desired result, the Government of India has launched various other initiatives and schemes to encourage the generation of solar power, like VGF, CPSU, Defence, Canal Bank and Canal Top, Bundling, Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop, etc. The potential for innovation and positive change is limitless as the nation embraces cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. By developing smart grid technologies and promoting standardisation and interoperability, collaboration between governments and industries can drive the development of these standards as well. In a nutshell, by working together, governments and industries can unlock the full potential of solar energy. Through continued collaboration, the country can also create a future powered by clean, sustainable, and affordable solar energy, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. As a result, the journey is not towards sustainable energy but towards a vibrant and resilient economy illuminated by the sun’s rays.

In the current battle against climate change, solar energy, with its potential to harness the abundant power of the sun, holds the key to a cleaner and greener world. However, unlocking this potential requires more than just technological advancements. It calls for a supportive environment created by government policies and industry experts. This is where government-industry collaboration became the driving force behind solar energy innovation. They have implemented several initiatives to address ongoing issues and meet the net-zero target. In fact, despite the current government’s commitment to climate action, the collaboration is focusing more on developing new solar innovations and increasing access to solar energy for all communities, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The need for innovation The solar industry has witnessed remarkable progress. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), it was estimated that India’s solar power capacity at 292.6 GW will surpass the thermal generation capacity of 276 GW (252.7 GW of coal and 24.8 GW of gas) by the financial year 2029–30. Meanwhile, the renewable energy installed capacity is expected to increase to 62.4% of the total installed capacity. Thus, in order to gain more traction and achieve the net-zero target, the country needs solar technologies that are: More efficient : Maximising energy output and lowering dependency on conventional grids are achieved by converting more sunlight into electricity. Cost-effective : Though the adoption of sustainable solutions has dropped costs in many ways, more cuts are required to make solar energy affordable for a larger group of people and encourage widespread adoption. More diverse : The business is now dominated by silicon-based solar panels, but diversification into substitute materials can certainly result in improvements in cost and efficiency. Improved integration : To handle variations in energy production and effectively integrate solar energy with the current infrastructure, smart grid technologies have become a necessity rather than a luxury. The power of collaboration Governments and industries possess unique strengths that, when combined, can propel solar innovation forward. Here, let’s delve into the details of how their collaboration fuels progress: Government funding : Public funding can support high-risk, fundamental research that private companies might shy away from. This fosters a spirit of exploration and lays the groundwork for future commercialisation. In fact, by fueling R&D programs, the collaboration can power the innovation wave that drives advancements in solar innovation, efficiency, and manufacturing techniques. Industry expertise : Private companies bring their technical know-how and market knowledge to the table. They can translate scientific discoveries into practical applications, ensuring innovations are commercially viable and meet consumer needs. As a result, collaborations allow researchers and businesses to work in tandem, paving the way for new trends to have a clear path in the market. Shared goals : Both governments and industries share a common interest in a sustainable future powered by clean energy and net-zero targets. This is where collaboration fosters a shared vision and commitment, leading to a more focused and efficient approach to solar energy innovation. Initiatives: Driving solar innovation : The National Solar Mission (NSM) intends to advance the development and implementation of solar energy for both off-grid and grid-connected applications. In order to encourage the use of solar energy, it establishes aggressive goals for the expansion of solar capacity and provides financial incentives, subsidies, and regulatory assistance. National Solar Mission (NMS) National Solar Mission (NMS) Renewable Energy Systems, including the Solar Energy Research Initiative : The initiative’s goal is to build national research capacity to reduce the cost of solar energy through pre-competitive translational research, oriented solar research, and human and institutional capacity development. SERI has contributed to the formation of a critical mass of researchers by rekindling the interest of experienced researchers in related fields in solar energy research and attracting younger researchers to the field of solar energy. This has fostered a thriving environment for solar energy research in the country. Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana : The goal of this initiative is to make India self-reliant in terms of energy, and such a step is crucial when the country is passing through a constructive stage of development. Simply put, the idea behind the innovation is to promote electricity generation through solar energy. By focusing on the initiative, the solar PV panel market can see a surge in the upcoming days due to an increased demand for PV panels. Solar Park Scheme : Rolled out in 2014, the initiative by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has the target of setting up 25 solar parks with an aggregate capacity of 20,000 MW. Furthermore, the initiative in 2023 has sanctioned 50 solar parks with an aggregate capacity of 37,990 MW in 12 states across the country. Out of this, 11 solar parks with an aggregate capacity of 8,521 MW have been completed, and 7 solar parks with an aggregate capacity of 3,985 MW have been partially completed. Though this is not it, to achieve the desired result, the Government of India has launched various other initiatives and schemes to encourage the generation of solar power, like VGF, CPSU, Defence, Canal Bank and Canal Top, Bundling, Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop, etc. Despite the actions, collaboration isn’t without its challenges. Bureaucracy : Government regulations and approval processes can sometimes hinder the pace of innovation. Thus, streamlining bureaucracy and fostering an environment that encourages risk-taking is essential. Intellectual property (IP) sharing : Finding a balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering open innovation can be challenging. This is where collaboration models that encourage knowledge sharing emerged as a beacon of hope, ensuring fair returns for research and development. Future prospect India has great potential to make the solar industry bright and promising. Projected solar capacity growth, anticipated technological advancements and global collaborations are poised to transform India into a solar energy powerhouse. The potential for innovation and positive change is limitless as the nation embraces cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. By developing smart grid technologies and promoting standardisation and interoperability, collaboration between governments and industries can drive the development of these standards as well. In a nutshell, by working together, governments and industries can unlock the full potential of solar energy. Through continued collaboration, the country can also create a future powered by clean, sustainable, and affordable solar energy, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. As a result, the journey is not towards sustainable energy but towards a vibrant and resilient economy illuminated by the sun’s rays. (The author is Group Executive Director, Hartek Group; Views are personal)