Photo Credit: www.garhwalpost.in
Uttaranchal University concluded a two-day training programme on Urban Solar Photovoltaics (PV) on 29–30 May as part of the Indo-German Energy Programme’s INSolar Project, an initiative spearheaded by Germany’s GIZ in collaboration with India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The event brought together a diverse group of professionals, startups, and NGOs involved in solar deployment, aiming to strengthen urban solar capacity and accelerate India’s transition to sustainable energy solutions.
Indo-German Energy Partnership Promotes Urban Solar Deployment
The INSolar Project is a bilateral initiative under the broader Indo-German Energy Programme, focusing on advancing innovative solar technologies in urban areas across India. The recent training at Uttaranchal University sought to equip stakeholders with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills related to urban solar PV system design, integration, and operation.
Participants engaged in technical sessions led by renewable energy experts and also visited an operational solar facility to understand real-time applications of PV systems in city environments.
Day 1: Designing Smart Solar Systems for Urban India
The inaugural session opened with an address by Prof. (Dr.) Dharam Buddhi, Vice Chancellor of Uttaranchal University, who underscored the pivotal role of decentralised solar energy in shaping smart, resilient urban centres. He stressed the need to develop innovative and sustainable power systems for India’s growing cities.
Technical sessions on Day 1 were led by Shatrughan Yadav, Chief Technology Officer (Renewable Energy) at AHAsolar Technologies Ltd. Yadav detailed the design and planning of rooftop PV systems, integration with city infrastructure, and use of smart monitoring technologies. He also walked participants through real-life case studies highlighting urban solar success stories.
Day 2: Policy, Regulation, and Real-World Implementation
The second day featured expert trainer Kshitiz Vishnoi, also from AHAsolar Technologies, who delved into India’s solar energy policy landscape. He covered current regulations, grid integration strategies, and policy incentives aimed at boosting solar adoption in urban areas. Vishnoi also outlined key challenges and mitigation strategies for large-scale implementation.
A major highlight of the day was a technical site visit to the ONGC campus, where participants examined a live solar PV-powered parking facility. The hands-on exposure offered critical insights into deployment logistics, system performance, and maintenance practices.
Building Capacity for India’s Solar Future
The programme was coordinated by Siddharth Swami, Programme Coordinator at the Centre of Excellence for Energy and Eco-sustainability at Uttaranchal University. Faculty members including Prof. Rajesh Singh, Prof. Anita Gehlot, and Dr. Ravi Goyal were also actively involved.
The training concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, acknowledging the commitment and enthusiasm of all participants.
This initiative aligns with Uttaranchal University’s broader mission to promote clean energy education, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and support India’s renewable energy transition through skill development and knowledge dissemination.
