The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur and National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram has inked an online Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a strategic association to strengthen the solar industry across the nation.

Dr Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur and Dr Arun Kumar Tripathy, Director-General, NISE signed the MoU online.

Based on the success of world’s largest Solar Tree of 11.5 kWp, CSIR-CMERI intend to further its efforts towards strengthening the renewable energy (RE) commitments. CSIR-CMERI has expertise in the design and development of various capacity solar artifacts for multifaceted uses ranging from fulfilling localised energy demand to boosting agricultural sector for irrigation, solar powered agro dryer, de-centralised solar cold storage, charging of battery operated agricultural machineries etc. It’s expertise in the domain of solar converter and conditioning unit & isolated minigrid will also aid this collaboration.

The CSIR-CMERI is currently working on the development of solar energy based cooking system which will help in creating energy reliant and carbon-neutral India in addition to the upliftment of the livelihood of the rural sector in India.

NISE, an autonomous centre of excellence of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, The government of India, is engaged in solar PV/thermal R&D, testing, demonstration projects, skill development, consultancy, innovation and incubation etc. The Institute is equipped with advance equipment to carry out testing and certification of different solar PV/thermal gadgets.

MoU objectives

- Conduct joint field studies for different solar technologies.

- Skill development of stakeholders including developing content. These programmes would include grid-connected solar rooftop systems, solar power plants (including their O&M), decentralised solar energy systems, entrepreneurship development, and techno-financial appraisal of RE projects.

- Carry out policy and regulatory studies dealing with grid integration, recycling and disposal of solar panels, batteries, etc.

- To collaborate with international level research institutions for undertaking research work in India. 

- Jointly work towards enhancing and expending the capacity, capability, facility and infrastructure through resource mobilisation and aligning the capacity building.

Dr Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur stated that this joint venture is significant to cater to the need of national integrity for achievement of common goals and objectives related to R&D, implementation, consultancy services and promotion of solar PV system, microgrid initiatives, energy storage systems, power converter and conditioning systems, solar thermal energy system, solar cooking and electric vehicles etc.

This will be a step towards comprehensive electrification of India and would lead to optimum sharing of resources as well as public funds. The MoU aims to improve resource sharing and coordination between the NISE and CSIR-CMERI for effective utilisation of the national resources eliminating the duplicity of further capital investment for the same resource. 

Dr Arun Kumar Tripathi, DG, NISE informed that the MoU is going to benefit both the institutions working on the overall promotion of solar energy in the country. He reiterated that the MoU will pave the way for the exchange of knowledge, capacity building and joint research project in the field of solar energy. He appreciated and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with CSIR-CMERI especially after the quantum leaps made by the Institute in the field of solar energy.