The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited proposals for research and development (R&D) and demonstration in the field of solar energy.

The proposals have been sent to start-ups, industries, and R&D laboratories. Organizations or institutions that are involved in the research, development, and demonstration in solar power-related areas can also apply.

Some of the areas into which organizations should be performing R&D include, the development of a process for the segregation of different components of a PV module at the end of its life, the recycling of glass, the development of grid-tied inverters suitable for India’s grid and operating environmental condition, and the development of hybrid inverters of capacity up to 500 kVA. Apart from these, other areas of research also include the development of electronics for high tension grid stabilization by incorporating storage batteries, the development of high efficiency (six inches into six inches) perovskite solar cells on single and multi-crystalline silicon substrate, and the development of photovoltaic-based thermal storage systems for refrigeration in cold storage, milk chiller, and air conditioners.

Other R&D applications include the development of solar stove with thermal storage, development of wastewater recovery from industrial waste through solar thermal technologies, and the development of solar thermal applications for new multiple and industrial applications.

Earlier this year, the ministry had invited project proposals for research, development, and demonstration in areas of new and renewable energy from R&D organizations, universities, and industries. The ministry had identified certain priority areas for R&D in solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, waste to energy, wind energy, hydrogen, and fuel cell, and energy storage.

In February 2019, the President of India gave his approval for the continuation of renewable energy research and technology development (RETD) program for implementation during 2017-18 and 2019-20 at the cost of ₹1.75 billion (~$24.70 million). The objective of the program is to promote indigenous technology development and manufacture for widespread applications of renewable energy such as solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaic systems biogas systems, waste to energy systems, wind energy systems, hybrid systems, storage systems, hydrogen and fuels cells, geothermal, etc. aimed at increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix of the country.

India has also signed MoU with many countries, such as France and Peru, to work towards scientific and technical cooperation in new and renewable energy and establish a cooperative institutional relationship to promote bilateral technical collaboration on renewable energy issues.

Image Credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser [Public domain]