Rajasthan Amongst World’s Best Locations For Solar Energy

"The natural reaction of some investors to this outcome was that it’s too low. But if you analyse the conditions in Rajasthan, it will become clear that this tariff is viable," says Kumar, who researched a case for a 10MW plant in Rajasthan. Shri Shakti Alernative Energy Ltd is developing the infrastructure for a 100 MW private solar park being developed under an MoU with Government of Rajasthan.

"In western Rajasthan, a Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) of 21 percent can be achieved," Kumar further explains. "In Germany, the world solar capital, this is typically 13 percent. This means that a 1 MW solar power plant in western Rajasthan can produce 1.85 million units per year, compared to around 1.6 million units elsewhere in India."

"The conditions in Rajasthan are so favourable, that it will be amongst the most logical places in the world to implement solar power," says Edwin Koot, CEO of Solarplaza, a Netherlands based information platform for international solar energy stakeholders.

Solarplaza is organizing the conference The Solar Future: India II on 29 February in Jaipur. "It’s only a matter of time for solar power to take off on a large scale in Rajasthan," says Koot, explaining the choice of location.

Besides attention for the benefits of Rajasthan and other local developments, the conference will host internationally renowned speakers with an eye for global trends and inspirational future visions. This in combination with an informal networking atmosphere gives the event a unique character.

Speakers include Ravindra Raina, President of India operations, Astonfield; Ravi Khanna, CEO of Solar Power Business of Aditya Birla Group; Jigar Shah – CEO, Carbon War Room; Vishal Shah – Managing Director & Senior Analyst Alternative Energy Deutsche Bank; Ashok Bhalotra, Ambassador, KuiperCompagnons; Madan Mohan Vijayvergia – Director (Technical), Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation.

www.thesolarfuture.in