MNRE Launches Rs 2.3 Crore Start-Up Challenge to Promote Rooftop Solar and Renewable Energy Innovation

Guwahati: In a big thrust to fast-track renewable energy innovation, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, has introduced the Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge to promote rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy technologies. This was announced during National Conference on Skill Development for Renewable Energy Workforce at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan in the capital.

The program is being rolled out under the umbrella of MNRE with assistance from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in close coordination with StartUp India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The national-level competition aims at identifying and empowering path-breaking startups and innovators to tackle challenges and tap new possibilities in India's clean energy shift.

Through this challenge, MNRE aims to trigger innovation in critical areas that are essential for making rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy options mainstream. Focus will be given to making the solutions affordable, especially to low- and middle-income groups, through innovative finance schemes and scalable and modular systems. The challenge further aims to promote resilience in the renewable energy space with innovations that make the grid more stable, secure from cyber threats, and climate resilient, especially in remote and exposed areas.

Another essential pillar of the programme is inclusivity, where there is emphasis on increasing access to clean energy among marginalized communities. The challenge supports ideas such as community solar schemes, virtual net metering, and inclusive finance that can democratise clean power access. Environmental sustainability is also an important consideration with the challenge supporting the innovation of technologies such as recycling of solar panels, land-neutral deployment strategies, and hybrid clean energy systems that have minimal environmental footprint.

The contest is available to a diverse group of start-ups that operate in industries including green technology, IoT, artificial intelligence, blockchain, construction, energy hardware, fintech, and waste management. These entrepreneurs will fight for a combined prize pool of  Rs 2.3 crore, with the winner of the first prize winning Rs 1 crore, followed by Rs 50 lakh for the runner-up and Rs 30 lakh for the third position. In addition, ten consolation awards of Rs 5 lakh each will be given.

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Aside from the cash prizes, the chosen winners will also receive incubation assistance, pilot implementation chances, and mentorship from experts, facilitated by MNRE and NISE. With this holistic support mechanism, the aim is to facilitate innovators in taking their solutions to scale and integrating them into India's growing renewable energy landscape.

The MNRE's challenge of start-ups is a major milestone towards realigning India's innovation ecosystem to its clean energy aspirations and demonstrating the government's intent on sustainability, self-reliance, and inclusive growth in the energy sector.