OLIVE EARTH

Rechargenews reported Lanco Solar chief executive V Saibaba as saying that solar power could cost 7-8 rupees per kilowatt hour by then, down from the current 11-12 rupees. While it will still be more expensive than coal’s 2 rupees/kWh, it will definitely usher in competitiveness for the industry. He also suggested some sort of consolidation in India on the development side in a crowded market which is stimulated by the government’s bid to achieve 1.3GW from solar by 2013 and 20GW by 2022. He also acknowledged the financing/funding issue. "Obtaining finance for capital-intensive solar projects in India remains a major hurdle for solar developers because domestic financiers do not yet have the experience to see the sector’s full potential" he said.