Department of Science & Technology

Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road

Solar Energy Research Initiative

Department of Science and Technology (DST) is primarily mandated with promotion of R&D activities. Accordingly, DSTs initiative on Solar Energy is positioned upstream with thrust on enabling knowledge based R&D activities for entire gamut of solar technologies including balance of systems. This is expected to be achieved through nurturing of R&D groups, formation of consortia and setting up of State-of-art facilities. Solar Energy utilization for applications both for power as well as other than power generation with a view to provide convergent technology solutions under real-life conditions are being explored and assessed. DST in recent times has made foray in the area of solar energy through various parallel independent initiatives with distinct objectives.
o

S&T Inputs for Policy Formulation

The first of these initiatives is focused on S&T issues related to Solar Energy which could have a bearing on policy. DST aims at setting up test beds in offgrid situation for convergent technology solutions as well as for gathering scientific inputs for policy formulation for viability gap funding and sizing generation based subsidies. In this regard, first step has been taken up in Public-Private Partnership mode in association with M/s. Thermax Ltd, which aims to arrive at reliable estimates of the investments required for rural decentralized power using solar energy, reducing cost of solar-biomass hybrid option and work out viability gap. In this 256 kW Solar Thermal Biomass Hybrid Plant at Village Shive in Khed Taluka of Pune district, Thermax has been collaborating with national technology and scientific institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, CGCRI Calcutta, University of Pune, ARCI Hyderabad etc to adapt cutting edge

technology. This first of its kind demonstration plant in the country, based on the parabolic troughs is likely to be commissioned this year under the PublicPrivate-Community Partnership (PPCP) mode.

Model of 256 kW Solar Thermal Hybrid Plant

Parabolic Trough
o

Precompetitive Research & Technology Upgradation

Another initiative of the department is a PAN IIT initiative in partnership with leading solar energy provider, NTPC, to develop pre-competitive research and technology upgradation capacity for Grid based options. This initiative aims at developing pre-competitive research capacity and further improving current status of technology in Solar Power generation at the MW level grid synchronized technologies and focuses on cost reduction through technology paradigm rather than scaling up.A synergy between NTPC and the PAN-IIT group has now been built which bears the potential for win-win combination of core strength of IITs which primarily lie in technology innovation and professional competence of NTPC in design, development and delivery of MW scale power plant. The PAN-IIT initiative thus aims at capacity building and working out credible size upscaling parameters through development of knowledge network of elite institutions. In this endeavour of academyindustry partnership, NTPC and PAN IIT partners intend to focus on

technology innovations to drive the costs of delivered power from solar energy plants for supplementing the efforts of National Solar Energy Mission in driving the costs down through scaling up.
o

Basic Research and Disruptive Technologies

As stated earlier, a part of pro-active effort of DST to promote indigenous capacity in Solar Energy Research; DST has shaped a PAN-IIT Initiative. A knowledge network of about 40 faculties from 6 IITs have now emerged. This initiative of DST aims to promote basic research led disruptive technology options through ideas generated by PAN IIT Group initially and to expand to other institutions subsequently. DST is planning to adopt request for proposals models for promoting cutting edge science in Solar Energy research in the country.
o

International Cooperation

It has emerged that supporting enabling R&D is essential for advancement of Solar Technologies in the country. This initiative takes thematic area based research in the area of solar energy and quantifiable targets are set as yardstick. The areas for the themes identified are energy storage, battery technology, micro grid, newer materials and availability of low cost silicon etc. Accordingly, promotion of enabling R&D for solar energy by various academics/ institution with focus on advancement of technologies, devices and technological capabilities is being pursued.
o

Enabling R&D for Solar Technologies

DST has also leveraged International Cooperation for furthering Solar Energy Research. A Joint Initiative has been taken up in partnership with UK for collaborative R&D for technology trade and industrial partnership. The initiative is based on Intellectual Property Right (IPR) sharing on reciprocity and parity principle. Initiative in partnership with EU on the other hand aims at enabling Indian science systems achieves global benchmarks.

Click here for SERI Guideliness and Format Contact For more information on Solar Energy Research Initiative : Dr. D R Prasada Raju Adviser & Head Department of Science & Technology Technology Bhawan New Mehrauli Road New Delhi-110 016. Tele: 011-2686242, 26590296 Telefax: 011-26963695 Email:drpraju at nic dot in Shri Sanjay Bajpai Director/ Scientist 'F' Technology Mission Cell Department of Science & Technology Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road Tel:011-26590283 (TF)011-26565337 Email: sbajpai at nic dot in

Solar Energy Research Initiative (SERI) Programme of DST I Introduction

The focus of the SERI programme would be on Research, Development and Demonstration activities to promote utilization of novel Solar Energy Systems. Applications of Solar Energy for applications other than power generation will also be explored and assessed with a view of their potential to provide of convergent technology solutions under real life conditions. The programme would also attempt to demonstrate hybrid solar power systems integrated on various R&D pathways and multiple technology alternatives for distributed energy use to validate their viability to meet rural energy needs under public private-partnership mode. DST's Solar Energy Research Initiative (SERI) aims at fostering innovative and efficient application of solar energy to societal context, integrating and improving efficiency of solar energized systems and sub-systems, and synergizing industry institutional linkages for genuine and beneficial development of Solar Energy in country. Under the programme, feasibility of fresh ideas/ concepts is proposed to be assessed for their potential conversion into useful technology/ product. This would include development of various emerging and disruptive technologies felt essential to develop global competitiveness. The objective of the initiative area) To develop national core competence in developing indigenous

research led competitive and cost effective solar energy options for power, thermal heat, storage, cooling, hybrid, industrial etc.

b) To develop improved technological solution for off-grid application. The attempt would be to significantly lower the cost leading towards grid parity.

II

Spectrum of Activities supported

The Initiative aims at improving efficiency of devices, systems and sub-systems; Innovative R&D demonstration projects for 24x7 off grid power supply and forging interinstitutional linkages to develop critical mass of manpower for Solar Energy Research. The focus of the programme is on Research, Development and Demonstration activities to promote utilization of novel Solar Energy Systems. Applications of Solar Energy for applications other than power generation is also explored and assessed with a view of their potential to provide of convergent technology solutions under real life conditions. The programme also attempts to demonstrate hybrid solar power systems integrated on various R&D pathways and multiple technology alternatives for distributed energy use to validate their viability to meet rural energy needs under public privatepartnership mode. The programme activities also include support for preparation of status documents, grand challenges, databases and directories on technologies for Solar Energy. These documents are expected to include details on status of development and deployment of technology, investment needed in plant and machinery, land and building requirement, strengths and limitation alongwith status of absorption of technology in Indian context. The spectrum of activities involves: Applied Research and Analysis Development and Engineering (D&E) Prototype Development of Product/ System. Process Development & Training Field trials and demonstration Scientifically documented Data Generation and Analysis Technological Capability Development Performance/ efficiency enhancement of Solar cells/ devices, storage etc. Initial feasibility studies for proving of concepts deemed to have potential for realization at device level subsequently. Preparation of status documents, grand challenges, databases and directories on technologies for Solar Energy Organization of workshops for information sharing and programme formulation

Proposal explicitly set targets for cost, efficiency and other performance parameters and should include comparison with existing solar technologies. The programme also welcomes proposals in other niche areas if the activity is perceived to be useful for technology advancement in the country and is expected to provide R&D inputs to major initiatives of the Government of India.

III R&D for Solar Energy based innovative cost effective solutions for power, cooling, hybrid, industrial applications and promotion of Innovative ideas for enhancement of Solar Energy device performance/ efficiencies

Solar Photovoltaic based technologies and systems 1. State-of- the- art crystalline Si PV technologies to achieve production efficiencies of 18-20% 2. Low cost thin film PV technologies ( a-Si, a-SiGe, CdTe, CdS, CIS, CIGS, Multicrystalline/ Microcrystalline Silicon solar cells, CaAs, Organic solar cells etc) on glass and flexible substrates with production efficiency goals in excess of 10% 3. Compound semiconductor based PV 4. Nano material PV technology development and application 5. Dye sensitized and organic solar cell technology 6. High efficiency concentrating PV 7. Innovative distributed solar electric systems including building integrated PV (BIPV) 8. IIIrd Generation Solar cells (Plasmonics solar cells and Nanophotonics)

Solar Thermal based technologies and systems 1. Low cost collector systems 2. Trough, Linear Fresnel lens, Dish-Sterling, and Tower systems 3. Low cost tracking systems 4. Modeling and simulation 5. Optics- Aluminum Reflector, Front coated mirror, High antidust coating, Anti reflector coating, 6. Absorbent coating, High transmittance, Front coating

7. Optimum Integration of various combination ( Stream, Thermodynamics etc) 8. Weather proof front surface mirrors for solar reflectors for the scheffler dishes, advanced solar selective coatings, technologies for solar heat storage, small tonnage solar absorptive coolers/ AC/ chillers for domestic and institutional applications. 9. Indigenous cavity design and local manufacturing of receivers, control system and structure design

Thermal energy storage systems and electrical energy storage systems such as batteries, fuel cells, super capacitors etc for small and large scale applications

Technical

Training

Programmes

for

solar

cell

fabrication

and

characterization.

Manufacturing R&D for solar PV and solar thermal technologies Balance of system components- invertors, power conditioning etc

IV

Submission of proposals

The programme encourages multi-disciplinary proposals envisaging network/collaboration of various institutions having diverse expertise and facilities for synergistic implementation of the Projects. The Project Proposals can be submitted by industry having proven R&D base, either alone or in collaboration with academic/R&D institutions. The project proposals could be submitted for financial support by technologists/ scientists/ engineers working in academic institutions/registered societies/R&D institutions/ laboratories having adequate infrastructure/facilities to carry out technology development work.

Components of grants

For Institutions: Project staff salaries, equipment, supplies and consumables, contingency expenditure, patent filing charges, outsourcing charges, internal travel, fabrication costs, testing charges, overheads, etc. For Industry: In the case of support to industry, the development, demonstration and operational costs shall be shared. The industry has to provide manpower, infrastructure, equipment usage etc. The development costs will be borne by DST and at least 25% O&M costs has to be borne by the industry for a period of 5 years, in case DST decides to assign O&M to the industry. The industry has to spend at least 50% of the system/plant

cost during the execution of the project from its own resources. The release of funds will be in phases depending on the progress of the project. Up to 50% of the sanctioned costs towards development and demonstration would be released during the installation period in installments commensurate with project requirement and balance 50 % of the amount would be reimbursed on submission of audited account after installation and commissioning of systems. O&M costs would be released on yearly basis based on expenditure details provided by the company.

VI Intellectual Property Rights (IPR):

The scientific data generated out of project efforts would be in public domain. The participating industry can be assigned first right to use of technology as per Government of India guidelines. The IPR will be shared by DST, Institution and Industry in the proportion of their contribution. However, DST reserves the right to take final decision on the issue on merits.

VII

Mechanism of evaluation, implementation and monitoring

The Technology Application and R&D Areas requiring intervention are identified by DST in consultation with the Task Force on Solar Energy Research Initiative (SERI) and Expert Group for enabling R&D on Solar Energy. The coordinators identified by the Task Force/ Expert Group are actively involved in mobilizing the Projects by identifying the required capabilities and pooling the expertise and infrastructure of various individuals and institutions. The proposals are also received directly, which are screened with a view to assess their suitability for consideration under the programme mandate. After initial scrutiny, both directly received as well as mobilized proposals may be peer reviewed by experts and the Investigators are required to revise the proposal, if needed. The proposals along with the Reviewers comments are placed before the Task Force/ Expert Group for recommendation. Proposals which are related to application of Solar Energy will be scrutinized by Task Force and proposal related to R&D will be scrutinized by Expert Group constituted for the purpose. Principal Investigators along with collaborators, if any, are called for presentation before the Task Force/ Expert Group, if required. The recommended proposals are processed for financial concurrence and administrative approval as per DST procedure. The Projects are periodically monitored by the Project Review Committees (PRC) (on site) and/or Group Monitoring Committees (at a common location at various stages of the progress of Projects). Close association between the PI and the PRC is ensured to achieve project objectives. The PI is advised to take necessary action on the recommendations of the Review-experts. Project Completion Reports (PCR) may be sent to experts for comments, if felt necessary. A presentation is also required to be made by the PI on completion of the Project to identify the future course of action on the Project.