New Delhi: Solar thermal technologies can play a crucial role in reducing fossil fuel dependence and support India’s transition toward a low-carbon industrial economy, according to a new report.
These technologies are used to collect sunlight and transform it into heat which is stored and later on transformed into electricity. Note that this is unlike solar panels, which capture sun rays and directly convert the sunlight into electricity.
The report, ‘Policy Brief on Solar Thermal Energy for Industrial Decarbonization’, was released by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Friday.
In a statement, Dr Vibha Dhawan, director general at TERI, highlighted why the study was done and said, “India’s net-zero transition depends on empowering SMEs to overcome financial and technological barriers through affordable capital, proven pilot projects, and market-driven ESG incentives for clean process heat.”
The analysis gives a host of recommendations for accelerated adoption of solar thermal technologies.
For instance, it calls for the launch of a National Solar Thermal Mission with dedicated institutional support, long-term financing, fiscal incentives and an enabling policy framework to accelerate industrial adoption of solar thermal technologies.
It also recommends implementation of pilot projects in industrial parks for sectors such as food processing, textiles, dairy and pharmaceuticals, supported by shared solar thermal infrastructure, risk-sharing mechanisms and partnerships with industrial park developers.
