MNRE Invites Proposals for R&D in Solar Energy

MNRE has invited project proposals from industries, startups engaged in Research, Development and Demonstration in multiple areas of solar energy.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited project proposals from industries, startups and R&D laboratories/organisations/institutions actively engaged in Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) in multiple areas of solar energy.

The different areas in which the ministry has invited proposals are:

1. Development of a process for segregation of different components of the PV module at the end of life and recycling of Glass
2. Development of Grid Tied Inverter suitable for Indian Grid and operating environmental condition
3. Development of Hybrid inverters of capacity up to 500 KVA
4. Development of electronics for HT gird stabilisation by incorporating storage batteries
5. Development of High efficiency (6’x6’) perovskite solar cell on a single and multi-crystalline silicon substrate.
6. Development of Photovoltaic based Thermal storage systems for refrigeration propose in cold storage, milk chiller and air conditioners
7. Development of solar chullah with thermal storage
8. Development of wastewater recovery from industrial waste through solar thermal technologies
9. Development of solar thermal applications for new multiple and Industrial applications.

In June, the ministry had invited preliminary project proposals on “Solar-driven seawater hydrogen production and producing methane by sequestering CO2”. The overarching research objective is to develop state of the art technological know-how and develop a prototype system that has commercialisation potential in the short term.

At the same time, MNRE had also invited proposals for “Gravity Storage”. The specific objectives for inviting the project proposals are:

• Design and develop cost-competitive gravity storage system; and
• Develop a prototype system integrating renewable energy with gravity storage

More recently, the ministry had invited proposals for undertaking the pilot demonstration of 4 hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses, with minimum 25 passenger seating capacity, in the Delhi-NCR region. The overarching objective is to acquire know-how for the operation of hydrogen fuel cell-powered transportation.

The scope of the project will include:

• Pilot demonstration of 4 numbers of hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses, with minimum 25 passenger seating capacity, in the Delhi-NCR region operation for a period of five years;
• Refuelling and upkeep of the buses;
• Obtaining requisite statuary permits, clearances and ensuring safety requirements; and
• Collecting performance data.