Government of India aims to achieve a target of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022 and 100 GW of the target through solar energy projects across the country. However, when it comes to awareness level in the country about this hugely potential alternative energy source, it is far from satisfactory.
Solar Energy Society of India (SESI) has been promoting solar energy in India. As part of the series of webinars on Solar Energy: The Agent of Change, on 6th September 2020, ‘Renewable Energy in Indian Universities’ was organised where Chief Guest Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE delivered keynote address. The virtual programme dwelt on how to prioritize research and application of renewable sources in the curriculum and how academia and industry can work together to develop an ecosystem for solar energy in India.
In his introductory speech, Dr. S M Ali, Vice President of SESI and Director of the Indian Institute of Engineers, said that promotion and implementation of renewable energy through research and academia will drive major change in the institutions as well as the industry. Prafulla Pathak, President of SESI, threw light on how solar energy sector can push youth towards entrepreneurship. “There is a lot of scope in the solar energy sector. Today interaction and sharing of ideas will help in better development of industry and encourage the students to become entrepreneurs,” he said.
Dr. Sahasrabudhe showed his optimism about the growth of the solar industry in the country. He said that converting India into a solar rich country will help realize the Prime Minister’s drives of establishing 175 GW worth of renewable energy by 2022. “It is a hard vision but not impossible. Many innovations like rooftop installations, creating water heaters, and channelizing multi-purpose ideas will make this drive feasible and possible.” He also expressed his displeasure about the fact that solar energy was known as non-conventional energy until the innovation of solar cells and was used to generate electricity.
Dr. Sahasrabudhe inspired the attendees by informing them about the various awards that AICTE gives and a payback plan that many companies follow to enforce the establishment of solar panels. He appealed to the attendees to create models and smart campuses that will significantly use waste as well as renewable energy efficiently and effectively. He suggested installing sensors that will analyze the use of energy and help layout better plans for adopting the right kind of resources.
Agreeing to Dr. Sahasrabudhe, Dr. Sunil Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) highlighted how usage of renewable energy resources has been introduced in many institutions. He has been ensuring to make new courses in UPES that are solar energy-oriented. Now, UPES, runs short term courses, diplomas, online course, and distance learning. They have 12 programmes running that focus on renewable energy and its implementation. He is also trying to get these courses NSDC certified.
