The Ministry of Science & Technology has set up a solar energy harnessing center at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM).

The center will have a network of scientist from IIT Madras, IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, BHEL, among others and these scientists will focus their research on developing high efficiency silicon solar cells that are suited for Indian conditions.

“The objective is to create a platform that can be extended readily to strengthen the knowledge eco-system. The center is likely to be a true change agent in the energy landscape of India. The consortium will be duly poised to address the sustainability requirements in the spirit of Make in India”, said the government release.

IIT Madras has also established a ‘test bed on solar thermal desalination solutions’ which will help to provide technological solutions to arid coastal village on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and provide potable water to coastal areas using solar energy.

Apart from working with the government in developing technological solutions, IITs are also collaborating with private companies to create R&D facilities. For instance, IIT Roorkee is working with ABB to create smart grid resource center, SCADA, ring main unit (RMUs) etc.

Recently, Mercom reported that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited project proposals for research, development and demonstration in areas of new and renewable energy from R&D organizations/institutions, universities and industries.

Earlier, the Assam Energy Development Agency also invited proposals from independent institutions and organizations to set up a R&D facility in the state. The facility will be in the field of renewable energy and will be supported by the Science and Technology Department of the Government of Assam.