Guidelines for Solar Mission to be ready by May 15

The government said on Thursday it would come out with guidelines for Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission by May 15.

"We have listened to all the people and now the guidelines are being worked out. By May 15 the guidelines will be out," New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah told reporters here.

The objective of the mission, under the brand 'Solar India', is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy by creating policy conditions for diffusion across the country, he said.

The mission stipulates the target under three phases for various solar application segments including Utility Grid Solar power.

Earlier, speaking at a seminar on 'Green Energy' organised by industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah urged the industry to look for more indigenisation of products for manufacturing of solar energy in order to reduce costs.

"We want to indigenise the solar energy under the (Solar) mission. You may import them (initially), but on the long term point of view we want more indigenisation," he said.

"We want indigenisation (on the manufacturing of equipment for production of solar energy). If you (industry) say you are ready to offer that service then we are ready to help from our side to the industry," Abdullah said.

To a query on conversion of solar energy for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, he said they were working on how to reduce diesel consumptions and install solar energy in these islands.

"For setting up of renewable energy in Ladakh, the ministry has already received Rs 500 crore," he said.