Solar-based products have huge export potential, says expert

Jayarama Emani | The Dollar Business

Solar-based products like LED lighting and cells have huge export potential for markets like Africa, said an Expert. Speaking to The Dollar Business on the sidelines of an event jointly organized by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) – Hyderabad Chapter and the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) to launch their Initiative on Smart Cities named ‘Smart Solutions for Smart Societies (4S)’, Satyam Bheemarasetti, Chief Executive Officer, Neosilica said, “India is a huge market and global destination for solar industry, with needs ranging from 3,000 MW to 10,000MW per year - for the next 10 years. This includes utility scale and residential and commercial needs. With this kind of demand, local supply of solar panels is only 600-700 MW and needs to expand considerably. In services side, there is severe shortfall for good quality workforce - leaving room for Skill Development and new careers. The rooftop segment is just beginning and will grow to 10-20 GW in the next 10 years. " Echoing similar sentiments, Dr M V Ramana Rao, President, LED Product Manufacturers’ Association said, “Government policies on efficient lighting and saving (ELS) will result in many domestic manufacturers invest in the renewable energy sector. If the producers can meet the domestic requirement, I think they are as good to export and compete with China in the long run.” Earlier, TiE Hyderabad Chapter, launched their Initiative on Smart Cities named ‘Smart Solutions for Smart Societies (4S)’. The key focus areas of 4S conference series is a combination of each aspect of Smart Cities covering Smart Health, Smart Energy, Smart Mobility, Smart Education, Smart Homes, Smart Environment, Smart Buildings, Smart IT & Communications and Smart Governance. Spread over a period of a year, the 4-part conference and workshop series aims to bring together decision makers and influencers from various sectors of the society, including the government, and facilitate collaboration with entrepreneurs, SMEs and industrialists in order to deliberate upon the opportunities a smart city stands to bring about for all stakeholders. The yearlong event is being organized in partnership with the Government of Telangana and FICCI with ISB being the knowledge partner.  

June 15, 2015 | 6:34 pm IST.