Small wind turbine generators and wind-solar hybrid systems should be supported along the lines of roof top solar power generation units to encourage decentralised power generation, according to industry representatives.
The Electricity Act provides for attractive tariffs for roof top solar power generation systems and small solar photovoltaic projects which are also covered under the National Solar Mission.
However, similar tariff guidelines or net metering rules have not been specified for small wind turbine and wind-solar hybrid systems are not treated on par with other roof top renewable energy systems, according to Mr Surendra Pimparkhedkar, Head, Centre for Regulatory Affairs, WISE.
At a one-day seminar on small wind and hybrid systems coinciding with the Wind Power India 2011, an international conference and seminar on wind power, he said, the existing support for off grid systems are inadequate to support full exploitation of the potential. These systems should be considered under renewable purchase obligation of State power utilities and renewable energy certificates which now cover units of more than 250 kWh.
The manufacturers of small wind turbines and hybrid units formally launched an association, the Indian Small Wind Association (InSWA), to support development of the industry.
Mr Dilip Nigam, Director, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said the existing policy announced last year has helped address a wide range of issues in setting up small units.
Against the total installed capacity of 1,200 kWh in the last couple of decades, over 700 kWh have been sanctioned last year. In the current year it is set to exceed 1,000 kW with the Ministry having on hand projects totalling over 400 kWh.
The off-grid applications help address the power shortage in urban areas and giving access to power in remote locations where grid connection is not available.
Mr Uday Kshirsagar, Managing Director, Spitzen Energy, a small units manufacturer, and Vice-President of the newly launched InSWA, said the decentralised units of about 10 kW find application in residential, industrial and commercial application.
They are modular units and are scalable with the application limited only by imagination.