Industry Leaders Converge at REconnect Summit 2024 to Shape the Future of Solar and Energy Storage in India
The event brought together industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss and shape the future of solar energy and energy storage systems in India.
July 25, 2024. By News Bureau
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Following the opening remarks and inauguration, the panel discussions commenced. The first session focused on the topic ‘C&I Solar Market Dynamics in India: A Roadmap for the Future of Sustainable Energy’. The panelists included leading industry leaders such as Rajesh Kumar Jain, Advisor (Technical), International Solar Alliance (ISA), Kartikeya Narain Sharma, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Sunsure Energy Pvt. Ltd.; Amit Mittal, COO-C&I, AMPIN Energy Transition; Mudit Jain, Head of Research, Tata Capital Ltd. and Ashish Verma, VP of Business Development at Gensol Engineering Ltd.
The first panel focused on the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market dynamics in India. It touched upon areas such as C&I solar market size and growth rate, reasons for adopting rooftop solar, such as cost savings and sustainability objectives, market forecasts and trends expected over the next 5–10 years, key policies and financial incentives supporting C&I solar deployments, and regulatory barriers and business models within the C&I solar market.
Dwelling on the given key areas, Jain highlighted the C&I sector's efficient solar power use. Sharma pointed out the sector's reliance on regulations, mentioning UP and Rajasthan as key states. Mittal emphasised the need for uniform Open Access policies and revealed that India's solar installations stand at 86 GW, with 53 percent of rooftop installations in the industrial sector.
The second panel discussion, titled ‘Rooftop Solar Deployment in India: Opportunities and Challenges’, delved into the opportunities and challenges of rooftop solar deployment in India. It addressed the impact of central and state-level policies on rooftop solar, fiscal incentives, tax benefits, and subsidies available for installation. The panel also explored the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, including its objectives, eligibility criteria, and benefits, along with the market growth forecast for the next decade. Additionally, it covered current financing options and strategies for managing financial risks in rooftop solar projects.
Key panellists for the second session included Shabnam Bassi, Director of the Sustainable Buildings Division at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Anil Bohara, Head (System Operation, SCADA, and Distribution Automation Projects), BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd., Gopal Verliani, Chief Business Officer at WAACAB, Ankur Mahendru, Technical and Marketing Director at Usha Shriram Solar, and Hemant Arora, Director at Omnimedia Publications India Pvt. Ltd.
Elaborating on the given key areas, the panelists in the second session discussed how solar rooftops reduce electricity bills, benefit the environment, and support energy independence. They highlighted the need for standardised financing models, proper architectural support, and risk analysis to enhance adoption. Arora suggested targeting tier-3 cities for expansion, while Bassi raised concerns about government subsidies and policy conflicts. Bohara stressed the importance of increasing awareness and information dissemination to boost solar adoption.
Further, the third session explored integrating energy storage systems (ESS) with solar in India through the topic titled ‘The Power of Integrating Solar and Energy Storage Systems’. It focused on market trends, technical considerations, policies, financial analysis, and the regulatory landscape. The prospects of ESS with solar in India were also examined, emphasising the importance of this synergy for sustainable energy solutions.
The panelists for the session included Dr. Rashi Gupta, Managing Director, Vision Mechatronics (Moderator), Rajesh Tiwari, Assistant Vice President (AVP), Hero Future Energies Pvt. Ltd., Dheeraj Joshi, Manager, ESS, Jinko Solar, Anil Bohara, Head (System Operation, SCADA, and Distribution Automation Projects), BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd., and Virpal Yadav, COO, Sunkind Energy.
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The panel discussions at the REconnect Summit 2024 were particularly insightful, offering deep dives into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the solar energy and energy storage sectors. Esteemed panelists shared their expert opinions and strategic visions, enabling a rich exchange of ideas. The event was bustling with attendees, including industry leaders, stakeholders, and enthusiasts, all eager to contribute to and learn from the dynamic conversations.
The event also featured insightful presentations from leading industry players and event sponsors, including Solis, Gautam Solar, Jinko Solar, Usha Shriram Solar, and WAA Cable.
Finally, the day concluded with the REconnect 2024 awards, celebrating excellence and innovation in the renewable energy sector.
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The REconnect Summit-’24 Awards recognised excellence across several key areas in the renewable energy sector. The categories included Top PV Inverter Manufacturer 2024, celebrating outstanding achievements in inverter technology; Emerging ESS Player for Utility and C&I in India 2024, highlighting innovative players in energy storage systems for utilities and commercial and industrial sectors; Trusted Solar Solutions Partner 2024, acknowledging reliable partners in solar solutions; Top PV Cable Manufacturer 2024, honouring excellence in photovoltaic cable production; and Technically Advanced ALMM Module 2024, recognising the most advanced and technically sophisticated modules compliant with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).
Solis, the largest manufacturer of solar inverters, received the award for ‘Top PV Inverter Manufacturer 2024’. Jinko Solar, known for its PV products, was recognised as the ‘Emerging ESS Player for Utility and C&I in India 2024’. Usha Shriram Solar earned the title of ‘Trusted Solar Solutions Partner 2024’.
Additionally, WAA Cables Pvt. Ltd., a venture of the WAAREE Group and one of the largest solar panel manufacturers, won the award for ‘Top PV Cable Manufacturer 2024’. Gautam Solar was honoured in the category of ‘Technically Advanced ALMM Modules 2024’.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks to all the participants.
In summary, the REconnect Summit 2024 represented a significant advancement in the dialogue and development of solar energy and energy storage solutions in India, promising a brighter and more sustainable future for the industry.
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