THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a): The details of the targets achieved under the JNNSM upto March, 2012 are enclosed at Annexure-I.
(b): The capacity of indigenous production of solar cells in the country is 600 MW per year.
(c): The year wise budgetary allocation for solar energy based schemes/programmes of the Ministry are as follows:
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
Rs. 386.79 crore Rs.694.25 crore Rs. 574.00 crore
The Ministry has initiated a number of measures to meet the requirement of qualified and trained manpower in the field of Solar Energy. These include enhanced number of fellowships under National Renewable Energy Fellowship Programme, support to selected higher educational institutions for upgrading lab & library facilities, developing model course curricula at undergraduate and post graduate levels, incorporation of “Solar Energy†in the regular syllabus of seven trades at ITI level (Electronics, Electricians, Mechanist, Sheet Metal Work, Welder, Plumber and Fitter) and support to State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) and other organizations for conducting short term training programmes. In addition, the Ministry has also launched a National Solar Science Fellowship Programme to encourage scientists to undertake research in cutting edge areas in the field of Solar Energy.
(d): A list of places at which solar radiation monitoring centres have been installed in the country under MNRE initiative is placed at Annexure-II.
(e)&(f): No, Madam, Government of India has not conducted any feasibility study/survey for setting up of solar power plants in the country including Maharashtra. However, three solar radiation monitoring centres have been installed in the State under MNRE initiative to collect and compile radiation data. This data could be utilized by project developers for determining the possibility of setting up a solar power plant in an area.
