Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO)

Come Join us for the #GreenHydrogen: Clean Energy for a #SustainableFuture Date: 8th October 2024 Time: 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM Venue: Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi Join us as we explore the #FuelOfTheFuture #NGHM #RenewableEnergy #WorldHydrogenDay

How Large Should a Good Agrivoltaic Project Be? During the panel discussion at the REI Expo on October 4, 2024, we focused on Agrivoltaics in the view of the farmer and analyzed the various project sizes for agrivoltaic systems under international regulations and India’s KUSUM program. KUSUM Component A: Farmers can set up decentralized solar power plants (up to 2 MW) on their agricultural land and sell the electricity to the grid. These projects are primarily designed for independent solar power generation but lack integrating agricultural activities with energy production as they are on barren land KUSUM Component B supports standalone solar pumps, primarily for irrigation purposes in off-grid areas. It targets regions where farmers lack access to consistent electricity, focusing on improving irrigation and energy access. KUSUM Component C: Targets the solarization of grid-connected pumps, where farmers can generate solar power for their own irrigation needs and sell excess electricity to the grid. This component offers the greatest potential for agrivoltaic integration, especially given the forecasted expansion to 7 million solar pumps. Shilp Verma highlighted the importance of utilizing the 500,000 existing solar pumps to build upon small-scale agrivoltaic experiences. In detail I pointed out how different countries in Europe, and around the world had sharpened the definition of Agrivoltaics in the last two years. We agreed that KUSUM lacks a dedicated regulation for Agrivoltaics, which presents the risk that large corporations take advantage of the system for their own benefit, sidelining small farmers and risk continued farming activities. This can lead to a misuse of agricultural land for solar projects, without ensuring that the agricultural component is maintained. In addition farmers, especially smallholders, face high financial requirements and complex bureaucratic processes that limit their participation in Agrivoltaics. Even though subsidies are available, many farmers struggle to secure financing for these projects. Other countries also focus more and more on small farming in Agrivoltaics and have similar challenges. Germany for example privileges agrivoltaic projects up to 2.5 hectares are given privileged status, with special feed-in tariffs for projects under 1 MW that are not tied to auctions. Similarly, Italy has suppors 300 MW agrivoltaic projects under 1 MW, and Mauritania incentivizes projects up to 500 kW. Panelists included Benjamin Clarke (SolarPower Europe), Mr. Shilp Verma (International Water Management Institute), Ms. Priyamvada Pandit (SMA-India), and myself, Angela Heinssen (KANZLEI an der Lühe). A special thank you to GIZ India and the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO) India for the invitation and excellent organization of this panel. It was a privilege to be part of such an important conversation. #AgriPV #KUSUM #SustainableAgriculture #REIExpo #RenewableEnergy #AgrivoltaicRegulations

Morgen startet die Hamburger Nachhaltigkeitskonferenz #HSC2024! Wir bringen Politik, Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft & Zivilgesellschaft aus aller Welt zusammen, um konkrete Schritte für eine nachhaltige Zukunft zu erarbeiten. #Agenda2030 #SDG Live verfolgen: https://lnkd.in/dr3X5ESE

Visit to Parbhani Agrivoltaic Farm - by SunSeed CEO Vivek Saraf, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH representatives and Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani professors - during crop cycle 3. We were also given a tour of VNMKV laboratory instruments for crop research as well.

Hon'ble Union Minister, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shri Pralhad Joshi is set to embark on a three-day tour to Germany, aimed at bolstering India's cooperation in sustainable development and renewable energy. Minister Joshi will also participate in the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on October 7-8, 2024, where he'll engage with ministers and industry leaders to solidify the India-Germany partnership in advancing the global energy transition. For more info. click here. https://lnkd.in/ggjmh_qu #sustainabledevelopment #renewableenergy. #IndiaGermanyPartnership #pib

India and Germany’s partnership at #REINVEST2024 showcases the importance of global cooperation in advancing renewable energy. The launch of the India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energies Worldwide marks a significant milestone, underscoring the deepening collaboration between the two nations. This platform reflects a shared commitment to a sustainable and clean energy future. #IndiaGermany #GSDP Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

🥒🔌Agrivoltaics on Two Levels for Greater Yield and Sustainability I had the remarkable opportunity to visit an agrivoltaic pilot project in Ujwa, Delhi, managed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and powered by Oakridge Rooftops Pvt Ltd. Key takeaways from the Visit: 👉Dual-Level Farming Under Agrivoltaic Systems: By installing the solar panels on 3.5-meter-high mounting structures, it was possible to harvest crops across two levels. On the upper level, crops like cucumbers thrived, while on the ground, spinach was successfully cultivated. This efficient use of space demonstrates how agrivoltaics can enhance yield without increasing land use. 👉Impact of Flowering and Non-Flowering Plants: Flowering plants such as cucumbers and tomatoes experienced a 20-30% reduction in yield due to shading. Non-flowering plants like spinach, however, were unaffected and maintained full productivity under the solar panels. 👉Protecting Agricultural Land from Permanent Damage: The project team highlighted the importance of ensuring that the concrete foundations, embedded at a depth of 5-8 feet, are fully removed after the project. If left in place, they could permanently damage the agricultural land, making it unusable for future farming. 🐄🐑🐥Research into Animal Husbandry & Agrivoltaics: In India, integrating animal husbandry with agrivoltaic systems is an area where more research is urgently needed. Protecting workers and animals from extreme climatic conditions, such as heat and intense sunlight, is critical. By addressing these issues, agrivoltaics can not only contribute to animal welfare but also scale up significantly across India. This project in Ujwa, Delhi, is an exciting example of how agrivoltaics can help address key agricultural challenges while contributing to climate resilience and sustainability. Special thanks to the Indo-German Energy Forum and GIZ India: Tobias Winter, Abhishek Shastri, Moritz Berndmeyer and Eva Meschede for this insightful visit! #Agrivoltaics #solargrazing #RenewableEnergy #AnimalWelfare #SolarFarming #Sustainability

ISA, in partnership with the NSEFI - National Solar Energy Federation of India, successfully concluded the second pre-workshop titled "Financing Mechanisms for Agrivoltaics in India." This impactful event occurred on September 9, 2024, at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) office in New Delhi.☀️ The event was graced by Mr. Uwe Gehlen,Head of German Development Cooperation in India at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany (German Embassy New Delhi) who initiated the discussion, and Dr. Dr. Nikhil Gakkhar, scientist D from MNRE, who provided guidance throughout the workshop. Key Highlights from the Workshop: 🔹 Integrating Agrivoltaics into Existing Schemes: Discussions emphasized the need to incorporate agrivoltaics into existing schemes such as PM-KUSUM and to leverage additional funding mechanisms, including the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and carbon credits. 🔹 Addressing Initial Costs and Financing Challenges: Strategies were explored to lower initial costs, such as implementing subsidies and creating joint models between developers and farmers. The focus was also on innovative financing models, including crowdfunding for pilot projects and public-private partnerships for larger-scale implementations. 🔹 Lender Perspectives and Risk Mitigation: Addressing the high risk associated with agrivoltaics, especially for small and marginal farmers, was a key topic. Discussions included strategies to mitigate these risks and make agrivoltaics a more attractive investment. 🔹 Pilot Projects and Best Practices: The crucial role of pilot projects in demonstrating successful agrivoltaics models and encouraging broader adoption was emphasized. International best practices were also discussed as a way to inform and inspire local implementations. This workshop marks the second of two pre-workshops organized by ISA and NSEFI, following the first workshop on policy and regulatory challenges held on August 21, 2024. The insights and outcomes from both workshops will significantly contribute to the high-level panel discussion at RE Invest 2024, ensuring a comprehensive and informed dialogue on agrivoltaics. We are confident that these initiatives will greatly advance the agrivoltaics sector in India, aligning with our national renewable energy and agricultural objectives while addressing critical financing challenges. 🌱💡 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, NSEFI - National Solar Energy Federation of India, German Embassy, Benjamin Cherian, Chandan Dikshit, Dr. Nikhil Gakkhar, Adersh Asok, PhD, Jyotsna, Praphul Sharma, Gurleen Kaur, Ph.D., Jaymiin Gajjar, Hrishabh Chandra, Muskaan Sethi, Prasoon Anand, Sheenam Puri, Shubhang Parekh, Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, Sumit Anand, Swati Singh, Vaibhav Singh, Abhishek Shastri, Benjamin Clarke, Michael Köberlein, Florian Postel, Y.V.K.Rahul (AgriPV and Green Hydrogen)

Today, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) bid a heartfelt farewell to Secretary Shri. Bhupinder S. Bhalla on his superannuation. His leadership has been nothing short of transformative, propelling MNRE to unprecedented heights and leaving an indelible mark on the clean energy sector. Under his stewardship, Secretary Bhalla played a pivotal role in driving domestic manufacturing and achieving a significant milestone by enabling bidding 50 GW/year, accelerating India’s ambitious 500 GW renewable energy target. He was instrumental in securing numerous critical bilateral agreements and played a key role in leading the Energy Transitions Working Group at the G20 India, ensuring that MNRE was firmly established on the global stage. His unwavering dedication to translating the Honorable Prime Minister’s vision of a sustainable, green future into a reality has had a profound impact on India’s renewable energy landscape. He highlighted India’s achievements to the world through meticulously organised, International Green Hydrogen Conference, RE-Invest, RE-TAP to which he provided personal leadership and inspiration. Hon'ble. Minister of State Shri Shripad Naik presided over the proceedings, honoring Secretary Bhalla as he passed the baton to Shri Prashant Kumar Singh. His legacy of excellence will continue to inspire the sector for years to come. #CleanEnergy #MNRE #Leadership #Farewell #Superannuation #DistinguishedServiceRecord Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

Dear LinkedIn Friends, We are pleased to invite you to join us at a historic event – The 1st Joint CBC & REI Business Leadership Day: Capitalizing on Multi-Trillion-Dollar Opportunities Together. -> Date: October 3, 2024 -> Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM -> Location: Cristal Ballroom, REI Expo Conference, Greater Noida, India This landmark gathering, part of our ongoing #TogetherWeAreStronger initiative, will bring together industry leaders from the Hydrogen, CleanTech, and Energy Storage sectors to explore new business opportunities, discuss strategies for global expansion, and foster cross-market collaborations. The event will feature: -> The 3rd Global Clean Hydrogen Forum: Quo Vadis Clean Hydrogen? - India and Global Perspectives Powered by the CleanTech Business Club #CleanHydrogen Hub, this session will provide valuable insights into the development of India's Clean Hydrogen ecosystem while addressing global challenges and opportunities. We will also explore India’s role in integrating into a Global Clean Hydrogen Ecosystem. -> The 1st Global “#StorageVersity - Diverse Routes, Unified Vision” High-Level Session Powered by the CBC StorageVersity Hub, this session will focus on the pivotal role of diverse energy storage solutions in complementing Clean Hydrogen and accelerating the global CleanTech transformation. For more details, please refer to the program -> click here https://lnkd.in/d2CEqfPV You can register for the event on the REI 2024 webpage: Click here https://lnkd.in/dF8ZzdDm We look forward to welcoming you to Greater Noida! #TogetherWeAreStronger Renewable Energy India Expo