Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy launched “Surya Mitra” mobile App at National Workshop on Rooftop Solar Power here today. The GPS based mobile app is developed by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) which is an autonomous institution of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).The Surya Mitra Mobile App is currently available in Google play store, which can be downloaded and used across India. This App is a high end technology platform which can handle thousands of calls simultaneously and can efficiently monitor all visits of Suryamitra’s. The trained Suryamitra’s who opts for entrepreneurship have joined in the Mobile App in several states. These Suryamitras are once again sensitized by NISE on soft skills Customer Relations Management, Punctuality and are now ready to deliver the services.
This innovative mobile approach shall enhance the employment of trained youth in solar PV technology and also improve the businesses of solar entrepreneurs because of quality servicing, maintenance and repairing professionals are now available to customers at the click of a button on their mobiles.Under NABARD scheme of Off grid Solar PV system few lakhs of off-grid systems have been installed and systems do require regular maintenance. To keep the system in good condition skilled manpower is required, therefore, the proposed technical platform of Suryamitra Mobile App can be utilized for this purpose too. MNRE has an ambitious target of installing 100,000 solar PV pumps in several states. Suryamitra Mobile App would come handy with respect to O & M, Repair and maintenance of solar pumps. Similarly, millions of Square meter of solar water heater systems are already installed in various states. In order to maintain the existing system and to install new systems properly, Suryamitra App would be very useful.
Overall this technical platform which is very useful in the field of Renewable energy to serve customers at their doorsteps with quality installation, repair, and O&M services. Suryamitras with the help of NISE ensure standard functioning and servicing of Solar PV and thermal systems to all customers. NISE has checks and controls in place to ensure that all Suryamitras offer quality service at reasonable price to their customers. NISE has fixed a price Rs 150/- per visit as visiting charges for Suryamitra Services and for installation and O&M Charges Suryamitra’s would charge standard charges as per MNRE advised rates. It is hoped that Suryamitra Mobile App would act as an effective catalyst in creating demand for solar products in the country and in offering employment and business opportunities for Suryamitras.
BACKGROUND
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institution of Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE), is the apex National R&D institution in the field Solar Energy. The institute is involved in demonstration, standardization, interactive research, training and testing of solar energy technologies and systems.Government of India intends to achieve the target of 175 GW which includes 100 GW from Solar Energy by 2022. “Make in India” is an initiative of the Prime Minister to encourage multinational and domestic companies to manufacture their products in India. Suryamitra initiative is also a part of Make in India. Suryamitra course is a 600 hours (i.e. 3 months) skill development program designed to create skilled manpower in installation, commissioning, and Operation & Maintenance of solar power plants and equipment. The course is jointly designed by MNRE and NISE. The objective of this program is to provide employability and entrepreneurship to rural and urban youth & women. Special emphasis is given to skill youth from SC/ST/OBC categories. The qualification required to participate in the program is ITI (Electrical & Wireman) / Diploma in Engineering (Electrical, Electronics & Mechanical). Higher qualified participants such as B.Tech etc are not eligible. The course teaches the basics of electrical, SPV applications and solar power plant including standards, preventive maintenance, trouble shooting etc. To achieve and maintain the target of 100 GW solar power plants for 25 years, India requires about 6.5 lakh personnel, trained in solar energy sector (estimated by CII). This course is designed and oriented as per requirement of solar industry.
MNRE set a target of 50,000 “Suryamitras” of skilled manpower in solar energy sector in next 3 years. As on date more than 3,200 Suryamitra are trained under the program. The target for FY 2016-17 is to train 7,000 Suryamitra’s. NISE is the apex body to implement the program across the country, in association with State Nodal Agencies (SNAs). “Suryamitra” is a residential program which is 100% funded by Govt. of India and implemented by NISE across the country. The institutes like universities, polytechnics, ITIs etc. are executing the “Suryamitra” skill development program at various locations in the country. So far more than 125 institutes in 25 states are implementing the Suryamitra program and creating job opportunities to the unemployed youth. About 80% of the Suryamitras are placed in various solar industries with decent salaries. The rest are becoming entrepreneurs in the field of solar energy.