Today the U.S.-India
Business Council (USIBC) announced the launch of a major new
initiative to promote U.S.-India trade and investment in the burgeoning
solar power sector. Comprised of private-sector companies, the USIBC
Solar Power Task Force will help to bridge the United States
aspirations to export leading technologies, while furthering Indias
goal of attaining energy security by reducing its dependence on imported
coal and fossil fuels. The USIBC Solar Task Force is a subcommittee of
USIBCs Energy, Environment, Enterprise (EEE) Executive Committee,
comprised of more than 100 members.
“The aim of the USIBC Solar Task Force is to ensure robust cooperation -
both financial and technological - between American and Indian firms
participating in this vital sector, and to promote an enabling
environment that will spur the application of efficient, clean
solar-powered energy throughout India and the globe”
Bryan Ashley, chief marketing officer of Suniva,
and Aparna Doshi, chief operating officer of Astonfield,
will Co-Chair the Task Force.
The aim of the USIBC Solar Task Force is to ensure robust cooperation -
both financial and technological - between American and Indian firms
participating in this vital sector, and to promote an enabling
environment that will spur the application of efficient, clean
solar-powered energy throughout India and the globe, said USIBC
President Ron Somers. The U.S. and India signed a memorandum of
understanding in November of 2009 on Energy Security, Energy Efficiency,
Clean Energy and Climate Change to intensify cooperation in energy
efficiency and green power development. The USIBC Solar Task Force
will support the two governments efforts to accelerate utility-scale
solar deployment.
The Government of India announced the Jawaharlal
Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) on November 19, 2009, with more
than 20,000 MW of new solar generation targeted by 2022. The
breakthrough program is attempting to mitigate the impact of climate
change, while promoting rural development and energy security. The
Government of India seeks to become a solar power generating hub, as
well as a leader in solar services and equipment. USIBCs Solar Power
Task Force will support policy formulation leading to the success of the
JNNSM, providing clean energy to sustain Indias double digit growth.
In the eight months since JNNSMs introduction, the Government of India
has worked diligently to develop the supporting mechanisms to ensure
execution against the programs milestones, the first being 1100 MW of
solar generation by March 2013. In order for this goal to be met, it is
essential that the solar policy, associated regulatory mechanisms, and
contracting relationships be commercially viable and embraced by the
private sector and financial community.
The USIBC Solar Task Force will support the JNNSSM by:
i.
Sharing regulatory and policy best practices with the Government of
India and respective states that will enable India to develop into
one of the largest solar power markets and facilitate the
development of commercially viable solar power plants;
ii.
Advising of the latest developments in terms of leading solar
technologies and implementation practices;
iii.
Addressing risks, removal of difficulties, and encouraging
discussion between all stakeholders to promote efficient
implementation of effective policies for the transparent and
competitive growth of the Indian solar sector;
iv.
Facilitating financing of solar power projects and solar equipment
manufacturing in India.
USIBC has actively promoted trade in investment in clean energy
technologies. USIBC is proud to be associated with the U.S.-India
Energy Partnership Summit 2010, presented by TERI & Yale University.
Focusing on Technologies and Policies for Energy Security, the Summit
will take place on September 29 in Washington, DC.
The U.S.-India Business Council, formed in 1975 at the request of the
Government of India and the U.S. Government to advance commercial ties
between the worlds two largest free-market democracies, is hosted under
the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
is the worlds largest business federation representing more than 3
million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
For more information please visit www.usibc.com.
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Source: Business Wire