7 lakh skilled manpower required by solar industry

Six years ago the government had a target of installing 20,000 MW of solar energy by 2022 but now the target has been revised and raised to 1,00,000 MW. The initiative is laudable but there is a need to develop skilled manpower in the sunrise sector opined G S V Prasad, executive engineer, Telangana New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TNREDC).

He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Suryamitra Programme’ a solar skill development programme by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) conducted by Surabhi Institute of Renewable Energy under the aegis of Surabhi Educational Society on Wednesday.

Presently the country produces 5000 MW and the government of India has plans to increase it to 1,00,000 MW in the coming years. According to estimates, there would be a requirement of 7 lakh skilled staff in the sector. Prasad added that the generation cost too has come down drastically from Rs 18 per unit a few years ago to Rs 5.17 paise today.

The TNREDC is presently identifying electricians in all the mandals in the state and would conduct a series of skill development workshops. Rama Raju, retired GM, NREDCAP, recalling an initiative of selling solar lanterns in Karimnagar said that with good publicity the demand exceeded expectations and people ordered for one lakh solar lanterns.

“Awareness and skilled manpower are key factors for the solar sector to grow,” he said. The three months programme of 600 hours duration is open to ITI and diploma students who would be trained in the installation, operation and maintenance of solar systems.

M Shekar, programme director, Suryamitra Programme, said that the sky is the limit as the solar industry is still in the nascent stage and students can make a good career.”