Wednesday, August 14, 2013: The infamous solar scam has led manufacturers and integrators of solar power systems face a ‘credibility crisis.’ Therefore, they have urged the government quickly implement the solar policy in order to ensure a level-playing field in the solar sector. On Sunday, a meeting was held by the Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Promoters Association (KREEPA). “It is the need of the hour as many other states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, have this policy. We made a draft and nothing happened as the controversy had broke out,” said Georgekutty Kariyanappally, Secretary of Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Promoters Association, The New Indian Express reported.
At the meeting, the Secretary of the Association asked the government to designate KREEPA as a consultant for its agencies, by giving arbitrary powers in dispute cases with the clients. The Association held the meeting in order to hold discussions regarding the consequences of the ‘solar scam’ on the industry and to find a way out for the market which is worth $2 billion.
Most of the participants in the meeting are of the view that the lack of a state government agency, which could give a stamp of approval or official certification resulted in the solar scam. The market that had a potential of $4 billion had a negative impact due to the scam.
Until now, the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology, the state government agency meant for providing support and carrying out implementation of schemes and projects in the non-conventional energy sector has not been empowered.
