- Solar industry in India is primarily an import-based industry where components such as solar cells, solar wafers are imported, and need immediate attention
- India manufactures a greater part of solar modules which revolves around the process of assembling activities
- Given subsidies in infrastructure and loan, Indian solar manufacturers can easily offer import substitute solutions
- Vertical integration of solar manufacturing will boost manufacturing efficiency and promote indigenous production
Depleting fossil fuel levels in tandem with the alarming rise in pollution levels for conventional energy generation has been giving headwinds to nations and pushing policymakers to popularize alternative energy sources such as solar energy for sustainable development. India, being a tropical country, has a geographic dividend of abundant sunlight. Given the existing acute form of these challenges, rising EV culture, and the still existing dearth of electricity in all parts of the country, India’s mission of achieving 100 GW capacity of solar energy by the end of 2022 is a timely one. However, though the mission is set, the manufacturers in the Indian solar industry face numerous barriers and bottlenecks.
Addressing these issues, Machine Maker brings you the excerpt from an exclusive interview of an inspiring role model and well-reputed personality, Ajay Prakash Shrivastava, Managing Director, Maharishi Solar and the Ex-President of Solar Energy Society of India, whose contribution to the solar industry has been tremendous for the past 29 years. Throughout the insightful interaction, he was exceptionally vocal about Atmanirbhar Bharat and believes that it is the right opportunity to transform India into a fully solar essential manufacturing ecosystem, and even addressed certain approaches to ensure a secured sustainable energy future of India.
Scope of Solar Energy: Wherever for Power!
“Solar can be utilised anywhere, where you need power,” he starts. Being one of the effective renewable resources, solar has plenty of advantages, not only in terms of positive impact on the environment but also in reducing import bills of numerous conventional energies which would further conserve the foreign exchange reserve. In the present scenario, India is emerging in the global arena as a leading generator of renewable energy and in its endeavor to attain sustainable development the Government holds a vision to accomplish 100 GW of installed capacity of solar energy by the end of 2022. While it has been widely lambasted for being overpriced, over time it has proven to be incredibly beneficial for the earth as well as the private economy.
In respect to that illustrating over the scope of solar energy in India, Ajay points out specific examples where solar can be more thriving over other powers. Being geographically a diverse nation, distribution of power in India is somewhat dubious, few places have a surplus while others a shortage. There are still numerous villages located in geographically unstable areas such as the hilltops or remote locations where transmitting electricity is either expensive or impossible. In such circumstances, solar emerges to be the savior as one can easily install solar panels ranging from 1-2 Watts to 500 MegaWatts along with a battery backup system to get access to adequate electricity.
For the places which lack electricity, solar can be a proficient alternative that could generate electricity through solar PVs, either by setting up a small power plant or mini/microgrids
For example, in the agriculture sector, one of the utmost significant tasks is irrigation, which is done via water pumps powered by diesel which can be supplanted by solar instead of unnecessarily squandering conventional energy for irrigating the lands during day time. Similarly, solar can be utilized for operating bore wells, petrol pumps, ATMs, etc. Moreover, Ajay mentions that as the Government plans to concoct charging stations at highway over the emerging concept of electrical vehicles, powering those by solar can be a brilliant initiative to ensure a complete eco-friendly transport system.
Apart from the utilisation of solar PVs, the solar thermal applications can be integral in having access to hot water and steam generation, which could be an efficient replacement of boilers running with coal in factories. “Solar can be productively utilised for smallest to largest power generation. Its cost over time has reduced extensively so that one can replace their existing arrangement of electricity with it quite effortlessly. Earlier it cost around Rs 6-8/unit which eventually came down to Rs 3/ unit. The only thing required is roof space or land for its installation,” says Mr. Shrivastava.
The Solar Industry in India
Currently, India is witnessing an acceleration in the solar industry as its efficiency takes over numerous industrial and commercial services. However, the solar industry in India is basically among an import-based industry where the fundamental components such a solar cells, solar wafers are imported from huge exporting giants like China and several other countries. India, on its own, only manufactures a greater part of solar modules which revolves around the process of assembling activities.
In accordance to this, Ajay Prakash Shrivastava mentioned that earlier the manufacturing of silicon solar cells and solar wafers occurred in certain factories, as it does not require any complicated technology yet the products could not last long in the market because of the tough competition from cheap imports as well as the challenge of huge investments requirement.
Now, if we look at the technology utilised in the solar industry then almost for more than 40 years it has remained consistent and the only change it experienced is the expansion in the size of the products and decreased thickness which consequently made them more efficient and cost-effective. Apart from this, the pricing of the final products is determined considering many factors including the cost of raw materials, type of manufacturing process or the machinery used, field efficiency from the respected plant, cost of infrastructure including electricity, water, cost of capital, support from the government, etc.
Challenges and Demands
“Since the cheap imports coming from other countries are subsidised by their governments, we have to confront huge trouble in determining the prices in competition with them,” says Mr. Shrivastava. Being vocal about the challenges, Mr. Shrivastava emphasised that the quality of products made in India are not at all inferior when compared to others but as they lack support from the government, whether, in terms of subsidies or trade policies, they have to undergo numerous vulnerabilities.
Besides, stressing on another obstruction, he explained that earlier many state governments were open to solar initiatives such as rooftop installation for the generation of required electricity and even provided them with many facilities but over the time they confiscated such support further which antagonistically affected them in terms of putting financial strain. He stated that the formation of central policies for strengthening the solar sector has become the need of the hour which should be equally adhered to by the states as well to avoid such obscurity.
Ajay Prakash Shrivastava appeals that it is high time to shift focus towards domesticated manufacturing and that the government ought to encourage such initiatives by offering back support. “So as far as the countries which claim better technology in terms of production, I must say our products possess much better quality. In fact, we can compete with anyone if we receive required support from the government in terms of imposing import safeguard and anti-dumping duties,” says Shrivastava.
If the solar sector receives subsidized rate for electricity, infrastructure, working capital, and term loan then the expense of the product will promptly come down as that of the imported products and the Indian developers or buyers of solar cells and wafers will not have to seek products from outside. As all the product comes with a 25 years guarantee, buyers will even remain assured to buy from Indian manufacturers rather than relying upon other nations.
COVID-19: A Turning Point for Atmanirbhar Bharat
Currently, under the grasp of the pandemic, the endurance of many industries has become difficult as India witnessed a freeze in economic activities but COVID-19 could not shatter the roots of the solar industry much, as per Mr. Shrivastava. “The only thing affected right now on account of COVID-19 is the manufacturing process and new installations. It is one of the advantages of solar that it requires very little maintenance and operation once installed, apart from cleaning the panels. Hence, the existing plants continued functioning as usual in generating electricity despite the pandemic and only the new businesses and productions halted,” says Ajay Prakash Shrivastava.
Ajay Prakash Shrivastava claims that the post-COVID era might be a turning point for the solar industry as the government’s announcement on ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT and the vertical integration of manufacturing of solar will act as a milestone in multiplying manufacturing efficiency and will promote domesticated production. “As per Prime Minister’s declaration, solar cells (multi-crystalline and monocrystalline both), solar wafers, etc have to be manufactured locally if we want self-sufficiency in solar,” says Mr. Shrivastava.
He added that a couple of discussions are even carried out about imposing safeguard duty on import. “These initiatives are a major boost in favour of the solar industry, which if functioned properly will prompt increased production. Indeed, one of the notable firms of India declared the set up of a 2 GW plant”. Apart from this, it is anticipated that the production of certain other components associated with the manufacturing procedure will also increase such as power electronics, battery back-up system etc.
The Journey from SESI to Maharishi Solar
Ajay Prakash Shrivastava's journey towards the world of solar began with the Solar Energy Society of India, where he is a life member, the past President. SESI was established almost 40 years ago in 1978 with an ambitious target to put across the message of utilising renewable energy far and wide. The major vision of the association was to create awareness and to raise a platform where people can discuss the implementation, application, and possibilities related to solar. In fact, introducing and educating the concept to the commoners was also one of the errands performed by SESI.
Through the Solar Energy Society of India, the concept of solar became familiar with the masses for the first time several years back when India lacked the appropriate conveyance of electricity. Initially got acquainted with the solar lanterns which were kept under the sun for charging purposes and afterward were used for lighting the house during evening time.
He was associated with SESI for almost 10-12 years and after giving his bit and understanding the importance of renewable energy for India, ventured into Maharishi Solars. With a motto ‘to improve the quality of life’, Maharishi Solar was established in 1999 which aspires to meet the ever-growing requirement of the photovoltaic and thermal industry and also envisage fulfilling its long-cherished ambition of providing light through solar energy products to the commoners.
Ajay Prakash Shrivastava explained that Maharishi Solar engages in the production of solar panel, solar cells, wafers etc. and even performed experiments in solar silicon manufacturing. It is difficult to keep up further, because of the intense rivalry from cheap imports. “Presently we are focussing on module manufacturing along with rooftop installations, home/street lighting system etc.”
At present, SESI is attempting to spread awareness among the youth and students about renewable resources and how it can be utilised to accomplish a pollution-free environment. SESI is conducting conferences, seminars and events to propagate the idea of power generation through solar and how it is innovative productivity can be multiplied in the coming future. New chapters and career opportunities in the direction of solar are even getting introduced in numerous schools and colleges. Lastly, concluding the conversation Mr. Shrivastava stated that they are ensuring every possible way to provide the youth with a golden opportunity for bringing a revolution in attaining sustainable development through means of clean and green energy in the approaching future.
For more details, visit www.maharishisolar.com