Wednesday, January 29, 2014: Even as the state government plans to generate 2,240 megawatt of solar energy in phases, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry has urged Malaysian firms producing solar panels to tap the huge demand in India, especially in Karnataka. The demand is in line with the state government’s renewable energy policy. The state is also looking at other renewable energy sources such as wind, mini-hydro, biomass and co-generation.
“The (solar) panel that Malaysia is manufacturing is required by Karnataka because the state government is planning to generate 2,240 megawatt of solar energy in phases,” Karnataka Chambers president R. Shivakumar told reporters after a networking session between the chambers and Malaysia’s SME delegation in Banagalore. The session was a part of the trade mission led by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed to Bangalore and Chennai.
“The scope is there for Malaysian companies, which manufacture solar panels to penetrate this market. They can export or even establish a manufacturing plant here,” Shivakumar said. He further insisted that the chambers could help interested Malaysian companies in the process. “Bangalore is also very close to Malaysia. Hence, Malaysian businessmen must travel more often to look at the opportunities available here,” he added.
A solar panel is a set of solar photovoltaic modules electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure. The same can be used as a component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications.
