One of the main reasons for the significant growth in the share of renewable energy sector in the total installed power generation capacity has been the growing share of indigenous manufacture of the systems for a variety of applications. A number of entrepreneurs have set up their units independently or as joint ventures with foreign collaboration. The reason is simple-renewable energy system applications are a viable option and the market is growing. The manufacturing base is not limited to the leading public sector enterprises. Leading private industrial houses and multinationals share the market place to supply renewable energy systems, components and spares. The vibrant industrial base has come about because of the consistent catalytic role of the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) in initiating and implementing an attractive policy regime to promote investment in the sector. Financial institutions have shared their responsibility by providing the required funds for projects in this sector.

11.2 A number of small-scale and medium sector units are also engaged in the manufacture of parts, components and systems for the sector. They fulfill the requirements of the rural energy devices like biogas plants, fuelwood based biomass gasifier systems, biomass briquettes, gasifier systems, portable metallic chulhas, solar cookers, etc. The manufacture of solar cells, PV modules, wind turbines etc is largely limited to the large sector.

Biomass Industry

11.3 The Biomass Power Programme has picked in the country, comprising combustion based power projects as well as bagasse based co-generation projects in sugar mills. The technology and facilities for design, manufacture, supply, construction, operation and maintenance of such power plants is indigenously available in India. Certain critical components like travel grates for boilers, governing systems for turbine generators, critical valves and control systems, etc. are being procured from abroad for these projects. There are about half a dozen leading manufacturers and suppliers of boilers, turbines, electrical systems and other related equipment for such projects, including the public sector enterprise, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The industry has supplied high pressure boilers of 87 bar as well as advanced turbines for a few bagasse co-generation projects in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Developments are in progress to supply equipment of even higher boiler pressure viz., 105 bar for maximizing the generation of surplus power to the grid.

Solar Thermal

11.4 Only BIS approved collectors are required to be used for government projects and systems installed under the soft loan scheme. There are 62 BIS approved manufacturers for solar flat plate collectors for water heating. The current annual production of collectors by these manufacturers is estimated to be around 80000 sqm. There are a large number of business associates/dealers of these manufacturers in various places who can supply and install solar water heaters. An aftersale service network has now been established as a result of insistence on annual maintenance contract for the systems under the soft loan scheme. Selectively coated absorbers for solar collectors are also being manufactured in the country by a few manufacturers.

11.5 There are about 30 units in small-scale sector for box cookers. Some of these units also make cookers with electrical back up. After making the BIS approval mandatory for manufacturers of box solar cookers, 13 of these units have applied to BIS for approval out of which samples of 8 collected by the BIS team have been sent for testing. There are also about 15 suppliers/NGOs engaged in production and supply of concentrating type dish solar cookers. Eight of them are making the indoor type community solar cookers and three are also involved in fabrication and installation of solar steam cooking systems. One company in Delhi is also making the low cost cardboard type solar cooker which works efficiently in areas having bright sun and low winds.

11.6 From this financial year, a scheme to provide loans to the manufacturers at reduced interest rate (7.5%) has been introduced through IREDA. The loans will be provided only for projects involving advanced and new technologies, which can lead to lower costs of production, improved performance and reliability of the products.

Wind Power Industry

11.7 State-of-the-art wind turbines are being manufactured in the country. The unit size of machines has gone up from 55-100 KW in the 80s, to 1250 KW in recent projects. A number of companies have tied up with foreign wind turbine companies for joint ventures/licensed production of Wind Electric Generators in India. A few companies produce locally without any foreign tie-up. The present annual production capacity of the domestic wind turbine industry is about 500 MW. The local industry not only meets the demands of the domestic market but also caters to the emerging export market. Depending upon market needs, this capacity can be expanded to 750 MW. Wind turbines aggregating to 74 MW have been supplied by the local industry for the domestic market, and another 125 MW capacity is expected to be supplied by the end of the current year. Wind turbines and wind turbine components aggregating to Rs. 50 crore have been exported during the current year to USA and Europe. This includes six complete wind turbines of 1.25 MW capacity each exported to USA. The export of wind turbines and their components is expected to touch Rs. 125 crore during the current year.