The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) and the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster the solar energy sector in India.

The MoU stipulates that the institutes will conduct joint field studies for developing different solar technologies.

These programs would include grid-connected solar rooftop systems, solar power projects (including their operations and management), decentralized solar energy systems, entrepreneurship development, and techno-financial appraisal of renewable energy projects.

Apart from these, the institutes will carry out policy and regulatory studies dealing with grid integration, recycling, and disposal of solar panels, batteries among others They will also collaborate with international research institutions and undertake research work in India.

CSIR-CMERI and NISE will jointly work towards enhancing and expending the capacity, capability, facility, and infrastructure through resource mobilization and aligning it with capacity building.

CSIR-CMERI have expertise in the design and development of various capacities of solar instruments for multifaceted uses. These include fulfilling localized energy demand, boosting the agricultural sector with irrigation, solar-powered agro-dryer, decentralized solar cold storage, charging of battery-operated farm machinery among others.

Their expertise in solar converter and conditioning unit and isolated mini-grid will also aid this collaboration. The institute is currently working on the development of solar energy-based cooking, which will help in creating energy reliant and carbon-neutral India in addition to the upliftment of the livelihood of the rural sector in India.

Meanwhile, the NISE- an autonomous center of excellence of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India- is engaged in solar PV/thermal research and development, testing, demonstration projects, skill development, consultancy, innovation, and incubation.

Mercom earlier reported that CSIR-CMERI developed the world’s largest solar tree in Durgapur. Each solar tree costs nearly ₹750,000 (~$9,595). In all, there are 35 solar modules in each tree with a capacity of 330W each.

Meanwhile,  last year, NISE conducted a workshop on the prospects for startups for solar technologies. With its commitment to develop and demonstrate solar energy-related technologies and its applications to the common man in the country, NISE was planning to set up a technology business incubation center for assisting new entrepreneurs in solar business space.