Sunny India ripe for solar power

HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- India could make use of its estimated 300 days of sun per year to advance its goal of producing 20 gigawatts of solar energy by 2020, developers say.

Indian energy developer Enfinity and manufacturer Titan Energy Systems announced plans to collaborate on a 3,000-acre solar farm to produce 1 GW of energy in a five-year development.

Persistent sun, a looming energy crisis and heavy dependence on conventional fossil resources makes solar energy a viable option for diversification in India.

"This collaboration is of major strategic importance in the development of our activities in high potential photovoltaic market in India," said Gino Van Neer, founder and chief officer of Enfinity.

Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corp. Ltd. is providing a long-term lease for 3,000 acres of land in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh for the solar farm.

Enfinity develops and finances the project with Titan acting as the contractor and supplier of photovoltaic modules.

A 2008 national energy plan establishes a goal of producing 20 GW of solar energy by 2020, 100 GW by 2030 and 200GW by 2050.