Hyderabad :  Gujarat Energy Research & Management Institute(GERMI), Gandhinagar,  a centre of excellence in industry learning, in support with New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh(NREDCAP), a state government company, and Titan Energy Systems Ltd (TITAN) which develops and manufactures high-quality solar photovoltaic modules is organising a Six Day “Solar Power Professional workshop”, a comprehensive course in solar Photovoltaic Design, Technology and application here in city at The Square Hotel, Hyderabad.

Prof Mrinal K. Sen, Director of NGRI; M. Kamalakar Babu, Managing Director, NREDCAP and Rao SYS Chodagam, CMD of Titan Energy Systems Ltd, Mr. Amin Patiwala, Secretary, GERMI and Prof T. Harinarayana, Director of GERMI graced the inaugural function held on Monday morning.

Speaking on the occasion while welcoming the gathering Prof. T. Harinarayana, Director of GERMI said GERMi is a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research(DSIR), Government of India.  Gujarat has many solar installations. GERMI is responsible for them.

Adding further he stated that GERMI has successfully executed 5 megawatt Gandhinagar Photovoltaic Rooftop Programme. Because of which we got similar projects for five more cities in Guajarath namely Surat, Bhavnagar, Rajkote, Ahmedabad and Mahsana.  If given an opportunity we would like to take up similar project like of Gandhinagar Photovoltaic Rooftop Programme for Hyderabad he said.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. Mrinal K. Sen, Director of NGRI(National Geophysical Research Institute) said Solar Energy is expensive, but, that is not an excuse for not looking at it.  Conventional Energy sources are depleting.  Alternative energy sources are the only alternative.  Gujarat is the leader in tapping Solar Energy.  Let us fully exploit renewable energy like Solar and make our nation a Energy efficient country.  This is the need of the hour, he said.

Addressing the gathering Mr. M. Kamalakar Babu, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of NREDCAP(New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd) said the sole objectives of setting up of NEDCAP are to generate electricity through renewable sources like wind and solar on decentralized manner, conserve energy in rural areas, Import and adopt viable technology and machinery in the areas of Non-conventional energy sources and ensures post installation service and Impart training and to promote research and development in the field of Non-conventional energy sources

Speaking further he added that we need to shift to renewable energy sources like Solar, Wind, Bimass, Biogas, Bio Energy, Industrial Waste to Eneregy, Mini-Hydal Projects and Geothermal energy.

Considerable amount of power could be saved by tapping solar power, we have recently inaugurated a three kilowatt(KW) power project at the office of NEDCAP in East Godavari informed Mr. Babu. Even our head office also commissioned 5KW solar power plant.  He said a 1300 MW palnt at Ananthapur is commissioned and already connected to grid.  Government of Andhra Pradesh is giving lot of importance to alternative sources of power generation.  We are encouraging private developers, enterprises to generate their own power for their own use as well as for sale.  So many private entities have approached us. Those who set up such plants before the year 2017 will get concessions on land registration, VAT etc and other benefits.

He said governments are encouraging setting up of solar lighting, irrigation, street lights, water plants and bio-gas plants into operation by providing subsidy to develop abundant fuel resources. But, awareness is very much important about all these.

Solar energy is the most convenient and easiest form of renewable energy. It will increase the state’s utilization capacity of renewable energy. We are also examining setting up of solar panels on the rooftaps of the independent houses.  The union government is already offering 30 subsidy on 1 KW power plant.  State government is also examining to offer further 20% subsidy even on increased capacity.  A committee comprising of several ministers have already recommended to the government. The decision on the same is expected soon, he said.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rao SYS Chodagam, CMD of Titan Energy Systems Ltd said Solar power is here to stay for future.  All other power sources have problems.  Solar power is the future.  India has best radiation.  So we can tap Solar Power.  Solar power is no longer expensive. It was expensive two years ago. It is no longer expensive, he said. And added that per Wat used to cost Rs 200/- two years ago, but, now costs only Rs 45/- he said.  Solar will be the only power that will be available in future, he added. Unfortunately we are not fully equipped to tap the solar energy.  We don’t have many trained technicians. Not many schools, engineering colleges offer course in Solar Energy.  He urged NREDCAP to set up a training center.

The workshop has got very good response.  About thirty participants who include Senior Administrators and Decision Makers in the Private and Public Sectors, and Governments ; Photovoltaic Design and Project Engineers; Entrepreneurs Exploring the Field and Value Chain of Solar Energy and Professionals from Stakeholder Industries such as Banking, Accounting, Architecture, etc are participating in the workshop. The workshop is organised by Gujarat Energy Research & Management Institute(GERMI).

The workshop is conducted in a ‘participative mode’ wherein each session builds upon the other. Topics covered during the course duration will be: Fundamentals of solar energy; PV plant and system design principles with examples; Performance study of solar PV projects; Industry-standard software training; Project finance, economics and policy environment and Extensive hands-on training and field visits

The Key takeaways of the workshop include

In-depth knowledge of basics, various components of a photovoltaic power plant such as photovoltaic modules, inverters, charge controllers, batteries, switchyard, SCADA, structures, and so on.

Photovoltaic system types, design philosophy, principles, examples and calculations.

Hands-On: site survey tools, weather measurements, photovoltaic system installation.

PV Syst: Comprehensive learning of an industry-standard software.

Project management, economics and finance of projects, solar policies.

Visit to PV module manufacturing unit and witnessing of module testing.

Site visit and study of a MW-scale PV Power Plant.

Besides basics the workshop will provide participants a practical knowledge by organising a field visit to MW Size Powe Plant.  They weill be exposed to plant operation, maintenance and trouble shooting.  They will also have hands on installations.  Poject Management and Economics will also be dealt at length during the six day workshop.  Many experts speakers drawn from GERMI and many industry leaders will be the guest lecturers.