In a landmark development for India’s renewable energy sector, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated a state-of-the-art PV Module Testing and Calibration Laboratory at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gwal Pahari, Bandhwari, Haryana. The lab is expected to establish global standards in solar R&D, training, and policy, and marks a significant stride towards self-reliance and technological innovation.
Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized that NISE is now fully equipped to offer world-class testing, calibration, and certification services—particularly for photovoltaic technologies lacking established standards. He described the facility as a trailblazing addition to India's solar infrastructure and noted that it will play a crucial role in ensuring quality as domestic manufacturers ramp up production of large solar modules. The lab’s alignment with BIS standards will also enhance the success of initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and strengthen India’s position as a global manufacturing powerhouse.
Highlighting NISE’s pivotal role as a training hub, Shri Joshi praised its contribution to skilling over 55,000 Suryamitra technicians and deploying more than 300 solar air dryer-cum-space heating units in Leh for apricot farmers. He reiterated the importance of fostering collaboration among government, industry, and academia, and said that the new lab would significantly raise the bar for efficiency and research output.
India's Exponential Renewable Energy Growth
The Minister also spotlighted the sector’s remarkable growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with solar capacity soaring from 2.82 GW in 2014 to over 106 GW today—a staggering increase of more than 3,700%. Solar module manufacturing capacity has jumped from 2 GW to 80 GW over the same period, with a target of 150 GW by 2030. He further noted that India has reached 50 GW in wind energy capacity.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to its climate goals, Shri Joshi said India is on track to achieve its 2030 target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy, including 292 GW of solar power. He encouraged NISE to reflect the transformative progress of the past decade and to intensify efforts in global research contributions and patent filings.
Focus on Innovation and Emerging Technologies
The Minister called on NISE to deepen its research, enhance innovation, and expand global collaborations. He urged the institute to form partnerships and cultivate talent to ensure its work has wide-ranging impact—from laboratories to manufacturing and deployment in solar farms.
Shri Joshi acknowledged NISE's current advancements in next-gen technologies like Perovskite Solar Cells and Bifacial Panels. He encouraged further exploration of scalable innovations such as AI-powered solar forecasting, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), and solar-powered EV charging stations—key elements of Prime Minister Modi’s sustainable mobility vision.
Global Collaboration and Earth Day Tribute
The Minister also led a review meeting on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, ISA Director General Shri Ashish Khanna, and other officials. He stressed the importance of unified global action in expanding solar energy adoption.
In honor of Earth Day, Shri Joshi participated in the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" tree plantation drive at NISE, a campaign inspired by Prime Minister Modi. He described the initiative as both a tribute to mothers and a commitment to a greener future, encouraging citizens to take proactive steps toward environmental sustainability.
With the inauguration of this advanced testing lab and a series of visionary initiatives, India continues to solidify its global leadership in renewable energy.