final chapter 12

72 MNES has established three specialized technical institutions viz. Solar Energy Center (SEC), Center for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) and Sardar Swaran Singh Institute of Renewable Energy (SSS-NIRE). While SSS-NIRE is in final stage of establishment, SEC and C-WET are mainly engaged in testing, standardization and certification. 12.2 SOLAR ENERGY CENTRE The Solar Energy Centre (SEC) is a part of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources for development of solar energy technologies. The Centre houses test facilities for Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) systems, undertakes research, design development and demonstration. SEC functions as the technical focal point of the Ministry on Solar Energy. 12.2.1 Infrastructure The campus of the Centre which is located on the Gurgaon-Faridabad road at the outskirts of Delhi is well equipped with research & testing laboratories, computing facilities, demonstration plants and a library for reference. During the year, renovation of some of the infrastructure facilities was undertaken. The works related to a few new additions namely security towers and security lighting systems for the campus, the third water pumping station and a store room are in progress. A permanent exhibition hall has been planned. A programme of tree plantation in the campus of the Centre was organized in September 2005 with the active participation of the officers and staff of the Ministry. 12.2.2 Testing & Standardization 12.2.2.1 Solar Photovoltaic Test Facility A comprehensive Photovoltaic Test Facility (PVTF) is available at the Centre to provide a variety of services. During the year the test facility has been re-organized in accordance with the requirements for obtaining IECQ (International Electrochemical Commission Quality systems) accreditation. Actions have been pursued for re-calibration of instruments, and procurement of necessary equipments for upgradation of the PVTF. For procurement of a large area sun simulator, global tender has again been floated. The work for upgradation and automation of the SPV water pumping facility has been initiated. 12.2.2.1.2 The certification and developmental testing of photovoltaic systems and components continued during the year. Till January 2006, 17 solar lanterns, 16 solar home systems, 13 street lighting systems, 25 PV modules and five luminaires were tested. 24 more samples are under testing. A charge controller for small capacity inverter, and EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) film samples for use in PV modules were tested as a part of developmental testing. The amount of testing fees realized during the year is around Rs.249500. 12.2.2.1.3 For testing of solar photovoltaic devices and systems, apart from Solar Energy Centre, there are three other Authorized Testing Centres located at Kolkata, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram. A meeting of these testing centres and the concerned programme divisions of the Ministry was organized in November 2005 to review the status of the test facilities. The procedures being followed for testing and the reporting formats for each of the testing centers were closely scrutinized. A plan of work has been chalked out to bring out uniform documents on test procedures and test formats. It has also been planned to initiate a project on round robin testing of SPV systems and components in all the test centres in the country. Shri. V. Subramanian, Secretary MNES visiting Solar Systems under testing at Solar Energy Centre