Government has made half-baked efforts to promote solar pumps, a cost-effective irrigation tool

Many commercial establishments are now switching to solar solutions for their captive power needs

Rising petroleum prices are expected to benefit renewable energy solution providers as commercial establishments that use diesel generator sets for their captive requirements may find solar power attractive. The city gas distribution (CGD) players too expect commercial establishments to switch from diesel to piped natural gas in the areas where power supply is unreliable.

Jaipur: For a state considered a frontrunner in the solar energy sector, Rajasthan is falling behind in the ‘race for the sun’.

In a bid to promote solar power generation in a big way, the Odisha government has decided to finalise a comprehensive solar policy in two months.

The department of science & technology, which is finalizing the policy, has targeted solar power production of 80 Mw in three years. “We had discussions with the chief secretary regarding the solar power policy. The policy is set to be finalised within two months. We are also going to come out with Vision 2020 for the renewable energy sector by that time. In the next one year, solar power production in the state is expected to reach 50 MW and we hope to scale it up to 80 MW in