STORY: Rows of solar panels in northwest India symbolize the country’s ambitious ambitions for renewable energy.
But its plans to increase domestic production in the solar industry are coming up short.
This is according to experts, who say that India is struggling with a lack of government funding and a huge shortage of skills.
This could affect its clean energy: hitting net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” program has allocated $3 billion as a way to encourage local manufacturers.
However, industry leaders say India – a major greenhouse gas emitter – needs to significantly increase investment and training programs to reach its environmental goals.
Analysts estimate the need for 1.7 million skilled workers by 2027, with the industry seeing a skills gap of 1.2 million.
Aditya Sehgal is the CEO of Alpex Solar.
“The fact that we are hiring with an increasing level, we hope that the government can bring or push universities and schools in India to focus more on manufacturing in the renewable sector, you know, so being able to give hands-on training to students on how to run machines, maintain machines, right?
A shift in the direction of renewables could be significant for India.
Many manufacturers said that this lack of technology could also slow down India’s plan to expand solar module export…
It handled $1.9 billion last fiscal year, mostly in the US market.