India to launch extensive research on solar power

NEW DELHI: India is planning to start extensive research on the use of solar power to bring about a "revolution" in this field, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said today.

Dave told Lok Sabha that during the Paris Climate summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that there were 122 countries in the world where sunlight was available 10 months of the year.

Since India is one of the prominent countries among these 122 nations, it has to take the lead of research on solar power, he said.

"We are looking for a revolution similar to the mobile phone revolution which took place in India. 25 years ago people could not imagine how we would use the mobile phone now," he said during Question Hour.

Dave said if India could get success in the research on solar power, the country can end the burning of wood forever.

The Minister also said that India was 2 per cent ahead on the commitment given during the Paris meet on carbon emission and could say with confidence that "we will be able to reach the target on time".

Under the Paris agreement, the developed countries have committed to mobilise $100 billion per year and agreed to enhance it beyond $100 billion per year post 2020.

"Green Climate Fund has been set up under the UNFCCC as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the convention. No specific assistance has been received by India so far from the GCF for implementing INDCs," he said.