More clarity needed on India's future solar policy

15 March, 2013

Recently, the US Government, while wanting to strengthen its clean energy sector and preserve the millions of jobs it supports, raised an issue with the World Trade Organiszation (WTO) about India's stand in promoting national solar program which restrict India's market to U.S.imports. This is an important issue and has to be viewed from different angles.

Firstly, the aim of the Indian Government should be not to compromise on quality that easily. Therefore, from quality view point, getting all the stuff related to solar power production in India from the US and other advanced countries who have well proven solar technology should be encouraged and become a priority for the Government.

It is learnt that India's solar power plans and programs are basically three to four years old. It is not clear, as of now, as to how many people are engaged in different solar industries set up till date and how much has the country made progress in its own self creation of solar technology related products, tools and the like.

However, if Indian manufacturers in solar related stuff are going to give a guarantee to the Government that they can generate a good number of quality employment (both directly and indirectly) through setting up of different solar related industries in different parts of India, in that case, restricting imports of solar products and giving thrust to indigenously (locally made) manufactured solar products for use makes lots of sense.

Again, India on its own at this moment may not be a match to create best of the technology innovation in solar sector; therefore, importing of the best of technology available and then introducing them in solar industries for mass production should become a plan for the future.

The power sector is in dire need of big quanitity of power production throughout India. Therefore, if through imports, best of the technology products in solar power can be brought to India and if sufficient power can be produced through them for being transferred to the national power grid for mass consumption, then this should become a reality.