Gujarat gets solar energy association

In order to bring together the stake holders in the solar energy sector in Gujarat, a group of industrialists have launched a Solar Energy Association that will address some of the key issues relating to the land acquisition, share holding pattern and changes in the terms of PPAs signed with the government.

Dr J.J. Irani, director, Tata Sons, recently launched the association in Ahmedabad. Commenting about the need to streamline the renewable sector in the country, Irani informed that though the new technology (solar energy) is likely to be costly, it will turnout to be beneficial in the long run.

"The new technology will involve higher cost. But the time has come that we need to look at it as an investment and not cost alone, because this will reap benefits in the long run," said Irani.

"Gujarat is blessed with large land mass availability and conducive administration for setting up industries. There is a huge potential for the renewable energy sector in the state. The association will open ample prospects for solar power sector," he added.

The association currently has 15 members in Gujarat, which it aims to raise to 60 in a year's time. "Currently, we have 15 paid members, but we are approaching all the 88 companies who have signed the MoUs with the government in the solar power generation sector. At least we should be able to get around 60 members," said Pranav Mehta, chairman, Solar Energy Association of Gujarat.

The association will also take up sponsored research in the field of solar energy, besides addressing the issues such as land acquisition for the solar power plants, changes in the share holding pattern for the companies engaged in the solar power generation and changes in the policy with regard to the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with the government.

"In the PPAs, there is a provision to share the carbon credits with the government, while the government does not share the cost, secondly, there are issues regarding land availability for the solar power plants. We shall take up such issues under the association," informed Mehta.