Bangalore solar energy system provider Orb Energy receives US State Department climate award

07 Apr 2008

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Orb EnergyBangalore-based solar energy systems provider Orb Energy has received the $1- million award from the US State Department in support of the goals of the Asia-Pacific partnership on clean development and climate. 

The APP is an innovative new effort to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. APP constituents Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United States have agreed to work together and with private sector partners to meet goals for energy security, national air pollution reduction, and climate change in ways that promote sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. 

The use of solar energy offers huge potential for climate protection. The production of solar photovoltaic cells has expanded dramatically by an average of 48 per cent each year from 2002 to become one of the world's fastest growing technologies.

''Orb is exactly the kind of company the APP was designed to support - innovative, expansive, and highly focused in its mission,'' said Griffin Thompson, manager, US Department of State Asia-Pacific Partnership programme. ''The APP is committed to helping innovative companies bring their clean energy solutions to market.

Though registered in Singapore, Orb Energy's business is confined to India where the ministry of new and renewable energy recently announced higher feed-in tariffs for large-scale solar power plants to develop this energy segment. So far Orb has been concentrating on popularising solar powered products in Karnataka.

Since it opened in Karntaka in October 2006, Orb has established 30 branches in smaller towns  where customers can purchase solar photovoltaic systems for back up power, solar thermal systems for hot water, and a range of solar lighting solutions. Orb also helps customers arrange a loan and provides long-term service. By the end of the year it expects to have set up 60-70 branches at an investment of $2.5 million.

''The award will enhance our ability to serve the growing number of customers in India who are turning to solar as a reliable, cost-effective source of energy'', said Damian Miller, CEO of Orb Energy. 

According to Miller the above average economic growth that India is experiencing has lead to strong demand for electric appliances on the one hand, and unreliable power supply and increasing costs of grid electricity for consumers on the other.

Orb says it can offer customers a solar alternative that not only guarantees continuous power, but saves them money.  The APP award will assist with the development of Orb's franchise partners who manage and operate its branch network.

Orb will also use the award to execute in-country assembly of Swiss-designed inverters, and to enter India's newly emerging grid connected market for solar power. 

Orb expects to sell between 10 and 20 MWp of photovoltaic products over the next five years with plans to reach more than 100,000 residential and commercial customers.

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