Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah has highlighted the need for greater propagation about the solar water heating system. Speaking on the occasion of the Award distribution function on Solar Thermal Systems in the Capital today, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that solar water heating can save tremendous amount of energy. He emphasized on the need for having more number of sale and service professionals/ entrepreneur in this area so that people have access to renewable sources of energy. He exuded confidence that the target of generating 20,000 Megawatt through the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission by the year 2022 would be achieved.
The awards were given in the category of Solar Water Heating Systems and Concentrated Solar Thermal Systems. A total of 28 awards were distributed which include awards to State Nodal Agencies, beneficiaries and Channel Partners of the Ministry.
The award for the First Position among State Nodal Agencies for Solar Water Heating Systems was given to Gujarat Energy Development Agency, Gandhinagar.
The award for the First Position among State Nodal Agencies for Solar Water Heating Systems relating to percentage increase in SWHS installation was given to Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency, Ladakh.
Best Website on Solar Water Heating System Award was given to National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Best State Nodal Agency for use of Dish Solar Cookers and the award for highest number of SWHS installations in special category states was given to Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency, Dehradun.
Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency(KREDA), Kargi.-Ladakh (J&K) was awarded Best State Nodal Agency for largest installation of domestic Green Houses for the purpose of growing vegetables in extreme climatic conditions for the year 2012-13.
Earlier, Dr. Farooq Abdullah also released two Knowledge documents developed by the Ministry in partnership with UNDP-GEF that includes success stories and video films on installations, fliers on Concentrating Solar Technologies and a Compendium of such technologies available.