The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is set to organize the fifteenth edition of its workshop on the prospects for startups for solar technologies. It will be held at its Gurugram campus from June 10 to June 14, 2019.

The program is in line with the Startup India initiative of the government. The program targets existing and prospective solar entrepreneurs, EPC contractors, graduate engineers, MNRE channel partners, energy department officials of the government of India, officers from state nodal agencies and individuals interested in solar sector business, a notice issued by the MNRE has informed.

NISE facilitates the research & development (R&D), testing, certification, skill development in the field of solar energy technologies, apart from supporting the ministry in the National Solar Mission (NSM).

With its commitment to develop and demonstrate solar energy-related technologies and its applications to the common man in the country, NISE is planning to set up a technology business incubation center for assisting new entrepreneurs in solar business space.

This edition of the event will delve into the scope and business opportunities in solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal and solar water pumping technologies, including a visit to a 500-kW solar PV unit at NISE campus, and a 150-kW solar rooftop project at NISE.  The economics of solar technology and business models for funding would also be covered in the program, the release added.

Recently, the MNRE also released a circular which states that the third edition of Global Renewable Energy Investors’ (REI) meet, and expo will be held in New Delhi/NCR from October 3-5 October 2019.

The President of India has approved the renewable energy research and technology development program (RETD) for the continuation of renewable energy research and technology development, for implementation during 2017-18 and 2019-20 at the cost of ₹1.75 billion (~$24.70 million).

MNRE had invited project proposals for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) in areas of new and renewable energy from R&D organizations/institutions, universities, and industries.

Soumik is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Prior to joining Mercom, Soumik was a correspondent for UNI, New Delhi covering the Northeast region for seven years. He has also worked as an Asia Correspondent for Washington DC-based Hundred Reporters. He has contributed as a freelancer to several national and international digital publications with a focus on data-based investigative stories on environmental corruption, hydro power projects, energy transition and the circular economy. Soumik is an Economics graduate from Scottish Church College, Calcutta University.