India believes in an eco-friendly future for the world. Many giant steps have been taken in green energy, and this commitment shall continue towards a greener world," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday.
PM Modi had told the participants through a virtual address to the first International Solar Festival being held in the national Capital that it was only a "clearer approach" and "remarkable growth of solar energy" which enabled India to become the first "G20 Nation to achieve the Paris commitments in renewable energy".
Our solar energy capacity has increased 32-fold in the last 10 years. This speed and scale will also help us achieve 500 gigawatt non-fossil capacity by 2030," he said.
He said the mantra to boost global solar adoption was "awareness, availability, and affordability".
The PM pressed on the need to "increase awareness about the need for sustainable energy sources" and to boost availability by "encouraging domestic manufacturing in the solar sector.
He appealed for focused schemes and incentives to make the solar options cheaper.
He also cited the example of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana launched in February in India that provides free electricity to households.
"We are investing Rs 750 billion in this scheme. Our target is to help 10 million households to install their own rooftop solar panels," he said.
He also said that the citizens were being "offered financial assistance and even low interest, collateral-free loans" to encourage the adoption of solar energy.
He further added that these households were generating clean electricity and they were selling extra power to the grid and making money.
The International Solar Festival was an initiative of the International Solar Alliance.
Launched in 2015, ISA has reached the milestone of a hundred countries.
About 19 more countries are ratifying the framework agreement for attaining full membership.
"The International Solar Festival brings the whole world together to celebrate the impact of the Sun. This is a festival that will help us build a better planet," the PM said.
He also lauded ISA for assisting 44 countries in developing infrastructure for nearly 10 gigawatts of electricity.
Every endeavour towards an inclusive, clean and green planet will get full support from India, he said.
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