Indian scientist to head global body of solar energy experts

KOLKATA: A group of international solar energy experts, innovators and environmental activists have come together to form an international body – the International Solar Innovations Council – headed by Indian solar scientist Santi Pada Gon Chaudhuri as its global body chairman.

This new international organisation that has its head office at Helsinki in Finland, has been founded to address the energy access problems of the world’s poor by coming up with new innovative solar power solutions.

Chaudhuri has been a prominent Indian solar energy expert who is best known for developing various solar energy modules, like the micro solar dome, canal top solar panels and various other Indian solar energy innovations.


Chaudhuri said that the council will mainly concentrate on developing solar energy in Asian and African countries in an innovative way, with special focus on India as one of the main target countries. “The council will be mainly supported by multinational energy companies, having commitment towards social development and emission reduction. The council will also access climate fund,” he said.

The council will shortly have regional offices in south-east Asia, South America and Africa. “Young entrepreneurs will get opportunity to develop pro-poor solar energy products through the Council Programme. India is expected to get a lot of benefits from the Council. I am looking forward to see the presence of council activities in India and other Asian and African countries,” he said.

Innovations combining improved sanitation and solar energy, cleaner biomass cook stoves equipped with small fans and solar panels and innovations related to the integration of agricultural and solar power production will be among the focus areas for the council.