(a) whether any conference on solar energy was recently held in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the outcome of the conference alongwith the
number of countries participated therein;
(c) whether India has pledged to fine tune its solar policy to expedite the
project implementation and extend concession for merchant solar projects; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and future strategy chalked out for optimum
use of solar energy?
THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a): Recently, two international Conferences were held in the country in
the area of solar energy, namely, International Congress on Renewable Energy
during 2-4 November 2011 at Tezpur and SOLARCON India during 9 - 11 November
2011 at Hyderabad.
(b): These conferences provided business opportunities to the participants
and exhibitors and for exchange of scientific and technical information about
various aspects of solar energy. The number of countries which participated
in these conferences are reported to be 3 and 32, respectively.
(c)&(d): There is no pledge made by India to fine tune its solar policy
to expedite the project implementation and extend concession for merchant solar
projects. However, the Ministry has been holding consultations with the
stakeholders from time to time with a view to fine tune the policies announced
under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). In addition, the Government
has amended Tariff Policy to allow fixed percentage of solar power under the Renewable
Purchase Obligations. This policy is complemented by solar specific Renewable Energy
Certificate (REC) mechanism which could facilitate setting up of merchant solar projects.