BENGALURU (Commodity Online): The Indian solar thermal industry is mulling to float Solar Thermal Federation of India (STFI) – a pan-India nonprofit organization to expand solar the use of solar-thermal applications in the country.

In the 3.5 million m2 installed solar thermal industry, players who control over 75% of the market are making efforts to promote not only the solar water heating usage but also promote applications beyond that as well.

STFI was formally launched on Friday, March 19, 2010. The key trigger which galvanized the industry to come together is the recently unveiled Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission which has set a target of 20 million m2 by the year 2022 which has opened up the market besides creating challenges that need to be addressed in a cohesive and coherent manner by the entire industry.

 

One of the immediate action items of STFI would be to develop trained talent pool which is proficient in installation and maintenance through a launch of a common industry-accepted Certification program on a pan-India basis. In his remarks, K Subramanya, Chairman of the association, said, “India receives the second highest solar radiation (annually 1800 hrs) after California in USA which makes it apt for near universal usage of solar water heating application pan India. The National solar mission is a step towards ensuring that and most of us in the industry felt the time is ripe for some concerted action to expand the solar water heating space besides exploring applications beyond water heating as well. Having a voice and a platform is crucial to leverage this once in a lifetime opportunity."

Primarily, STFI’s agenda includes evolving an appropriate policy framework and user-friendly financing mechanism to make this target realizable by working in close coordination with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power and Ministry of Urban Development.

Another important focus would be to enhance the competitiveness of the Indian solar thermal industry through continuous investment in R&D besides market awareness/development. Another priority would be to take the focus beyond solar water heating in terms of solar thermal applications to expand the market scope and horizons for constituent players.


(Source: IndiaPRWire)

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