24 hour solar power should be reality by 2020
James Abraham, CEO Sunborne Energy
Renjini Liza Varghese
India has a huge solar power potential. How do you see the market shaping up in this segment?
The government has come out with a plan to tap the solar energy potential in the country with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). The sector is still in a very nascent stage. Majority of the players will adopt proven technology from other countries. Right now, the concentration we see is in the solar photovoltaic. But for solar thermal it is a wait and watch attitude, for now at least.
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Do think the plan of achieving the 20 Gw by 2022, the target set under the solar mission, is achievable?
The target of 1Gw by 2013 as the first phase of solar mission is doable; 5 Gw in the second phase appears to be an achievable target too with some subsidies. However, in the last phase of the solar mission, we may not achieve the set target.
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Solar pv as you said is being adopted widely now in the country. But there are lot of complaints about the quality of the product being distributed in the country. Your comment?
As I said earlier, it is in the premature stage. Like any other industry, we see a lot of fly by night players here as well. These are the initial hitches of a growing segment. Solar pv the high prices may be also playing a role in making the consumers opting for cheaper models available in the market. The prices will reduce as competition is increasing. The products are 20 per cent cheaper than a few years back. It will be 20 per cent more cheaper by 2014.
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Cost of production and tariff is a major concern for players in the field. Especially for those who are looking at solar thermal. Going forward, where do you figure in solar thermal?
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Maharashtra are the best states to set up solar projects. Our target is 50 Mw grid connected solar thermal. In this, there are only few players present because of the high cost involved. We need large investments to set up a solar thermal plant – the requirement is anywhere between Rs 700-800 crore. The solar power tariff levelisation wil be with that of diesel generated power. Given the present tariffs, we can say, it could be around Rs 9 per unit.
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Does it mean that medium-sized captive power generators will move to solar?
Yes, the medium sized operator will be opting for solar more. Malls for instance, where your dependence on electricity after sunset is only for a few hours. Right now, these commercial establishments are dependent on diesel generated power.�
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When do you see solar becoming economically viable?
I see it becoming economical by 2014. And by the end of that decade, 24 hour solar power should become a reality. Currently it is solar pv which is the leading technology, but in the second phase of the JNNSM, pv will be only 10 per cent and by the end of third phase, it will be 10- 15 per cent solar pv and the rest will be solar thermal. In pv, efficiencies are rising while material and process costs are coming down. In solar thermal, operating temperatures are increasing and components are becoming commoditised.�
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Which places do you see India lacking in solar power?
There is very little R&D in solar in India and this needs to change quickly. The sector players should take advantage of the local supply chain to bring down the cost. Going forward, for those states which are looking at balancing their energy basket will surely will turn to solar thermal.
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