'Affordable tech transfer can boost renewable power in India'

Keen to tap Australia's rooftop solar expertise, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said there is need for the technology transfer at affordable rates for efficient expansion of renewable energy in India.

"India can use Australian expertise in rooftop solar as almost a third of Australian homes in some states are using rooftop solar," Goyal said while speaking at a round table on 'Renewable Energy Challenges for Grid Integration' at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) here.

The Australian expertise in scheduling and forecasting solar generation to enable grid integration would be "welcomed by Indian companies", the minister said.

"It is crucial for the prices of renewable energy to be comparable to coal-based thermal power to be viable in India," he said.

While emphasising that the technology transfer needs to be affordable, Goyal said that the Australian technology can help in efficient renewable power and grid integration in India. The technology transfer should be through strong educational and research collaboration between Australian (UNSW) and Indian organisations (like National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE).