India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited proposals under its Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD) Programme to accelerate the adoption of Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) technology in Indian industries. The initiative seeks to promote “Green Heat” by using solar thermal systems and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels for industrial process heating.
The programme aims to support commercially viable and scalable CST solutions that can demonstrate technical feasibility, economic benefits and long-term potential for replication across industries. The initiative focuses on replacing conventional fossil-fuel-based heating systems with renewable solar heat, helping industries reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
The proposed technologies include parabolic trough systems operating between 60°C and 400°C, Linear Fresnel systems covering 60°C to 250°C, parabolic dish systems capable of reaching 100°C to 500°C, and power tower systems operating from 150°C to 600°C. Solar photovoltaic systems coupled with heat pumps, capable of supplying temperatures up to 90°C or higher, are also included. With thermal energy storage, these systems can provide process heat beyond sunshine hours, improving reliability for industrial operations.
The programme will target a wide range of sectors, including automotive, dairy, food processing, hospitality, textiles, cement, glass, ceramics, iron and steel, and petroleum refining. Applications may include cleaning, drying, distillation, pasteurization, sterilization, cooking, boiler feed water heating and cooling.
As part of the initiative, high-demand industrial clusters will be identified and prioritised based on their energy requirements and availability of solar resources. Pilot and demonstration projects will then be implemented in selected clusters to evaluate system integration, reliability and fossil fuel displacement under actual operating conditions.
Project developers will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the systems for at least five years. The programme will document successful projects, develop standard design and installation guidelines, and create replicable business models to support wider adoption of solar thermal technologies.
The initiative will involve cooperation among MNRE, industrial host units, technology providers, system integrators and industry organisations. MNRE will oversee project approval, monitoring and financial support, while host industries will provide sites, baseline information, matching funds and required approvals. Technology providers will manage system design, installation, integration, monitoring and five-year O&M.
Financial assistance will be provided through Viability Gap Funding (VGF). Eligible industries, start-ups, private institutes and entrepreneurs can receive support of up to 50% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of ₹2 crore per project.
Online proposal submissions opened on September 8, 2026, and will remain open until October 7, 2026, through the MNRE portal. The initiative is expected to support industrial decarbonisation while creating opportunities for the development and commercialisation of solar thermal technologies in India.
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