GLG News Analyses of the following article:

Could India Become a Solar Leader?

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Published at: greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com

Himadri BanerjiChairman and Managing DirectorEcoUrja

India Mulls Ultramega Plans for Solar Power

June 8, 2009

In an article published in the 6th June issue of New York Times, authored by James Canter, it is reported that India is working towards becoming a global leader and a hub of solar power, something the developed nations like Germany, Spain and US were recognized for. This is arising out of a draft report called the National Solar Mission which the Government of India is working on. As per the report India plans to add 20000 MW of Solar Power Generation Capacity by 2020. Further the plan envisages 100000 MW by 2030 and 200000 MW by the middle of this century. Recognizing that at present the costs for solar panels are still abnormally high, the plan sets out to accelerate indigenous production through various measures and hopes that with the huge volume of demand in India and China, there would be a industry effort to reduce the cost of production and the solar power costs could come down to a widely affordable Rs 4-Rs 5 per kwhr which is 7-8 cents, the average US power tariff.