Indian scenario in solar thermal concentrating technologies

Abstract
The Indian enewable energy programme is one of the earliest and advanced renewable energy programmes which started as early as 1975. Over the years the programme has evolved into one which looks increasingly sustainable. Today the Indian renewable energy programme is characterised by it's market orientation, commercialisation, institutional and financing efforts and the presence of an advanced renewable energy industry which is predominantly private. However the same is not true in the solar thermal concentrating technologies. The purpose of the paper is to provide an update on the present status of solar thermal concentrating technologies in India and is aimed at technology suppliers, manufacturers scientists with an interest in the technology and the sub-continent. The paper is an update of the information collected by IT Power India in connection with the 'International Workshop on Solar Thermodynamic Electricity for Developing Countries', New Delhi , Feb. 1997 sponsored by DfID, UK. The paper gives an overview of the meteorology, the institutional, policy and financing framework and gives updates on the ongoing projects in solar thermal concentrators for power generation. Based on the experiences so far, the paper attempts to identify the factors influencing the future of solar thermal concentrating technologies in India.