India should take immediate action to accelerate the development of solar photovoltaic mini-grids around the country, according to a report by Ricardo.
The technology has a huge potential to bring electricity to rural India in a country where one third of households still lack access to grid power, the consultancy said.
Recommendations include supporting private sector and local supplier innovation, developing business models to ‘de-risk’ solar energy projects and defining technical standards for mini-grid design and installation.
The research, commissioned by the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office, also states that a close involvement of international supply chains for the development and manufacture of PV components is critical.
India is undergoing a number of radical power sector reforms as part of its commitment to bring electricity to the entire country by 2022.
“India’s economy is growing rapidly, and the country has ambitious plans for widespread electrification,” Ricardo energy & environment project manager John Harvey said. “Renewable energy resources and technologies have an important role to play in these plans.”
“By reaching out and sharing knowledge between government ministries and mini grid developers, financiers and suppliers, we have been able to offer solutions that make solar power a practical and profitable option to electrify India’s rural regions.”
Image: Ricardo
Indian focus on local sun
Solar mini-grids have huge potential to power rural areas, report says
By EBS