Call for Concentrating Solar Thermal Technology in Industry (India)

Deadline: 07-Oct-2026

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is inviting proposals to accelerate the adoption of concentrating solar thermal (CST) technology for process heating applications in Indian industries. The initiative supports the integration of CST with thermal energy storage to provide clean, reliable, and sustainable heat for industrial processes. Selected projects can receive financial assistance of up to 50% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of ₹2 crore per project. Support may be provided as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), depending on the project’s requirements and potential for technology adoption.

About the Concentrating Solar Thermal Technology Initiative

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has launched this initiative to promote the wider use of concentrating solar thermal technology in India’s industrial sector. The programme focuses on using CST technology together with thermal energy storage to provide green heat for industrial process heating. It aims to encourage the development of indigenous technologies and support the adoption of clean and sustainable heating solutions across India. What Is the Purpose of the Programme? The initiative is designed to accelerate the transition toward cleaner industrial process heating.

The programme seeks to:

- Promote concentrating solar thermal technology. - Integrate CST with thermal energy storage. - Provide clean and reliable industrial heat. - Encourage sustainable process heating. - Support indigenous technology development. - Promote research and technology development. - Demonstrate CST technologies through pilot projects. - Encourage solutions that can be replicated and scaled up. - Support wider adoption of green heat technologies in industrial clusters. How Much Financial Assistance Is Available? Selected projects can receive financial assistance covering up to 50% of the project cost.

The maximum support available is:

- Up to 50% of eligible project cost. - Maximum assistance of ₹2.00 crore per project. - Support may be provided as Viability Gap Funding (VGF). - The level of VGF may depend on project requirements and adoption potential. Applicants should therefore demonstrate the financial and technical viability of their proposed projects and explain how the support can help accelerate adoption. What Projects Are Supported? The programme focuses on projects involving concentrating solar thermal technology for industrial process heating. Projects should promote the integration of CST technology with thermal energy storage to provide reliable heat for industrial applications. The initiative places particular emphasis on: - Research. - Technology development. - Pilot demonstrations. - Indigenous technology solutions. - Replicable projects. - Scalable solutions. - Adoption across industrial clusters. Role of Thermal Energy Storage The programme encourages the integration of concentrating solar thermal technology with thermal energy storage. Combining CST with storage can support the delivery of reliable thermal energy for industrial processes and strengthen the potential for solar thermal technologies to meet industrial heating requirements. Proposals should therefore demonstrate how the proposed technology can contribute to clean and dependable process heating. Focus on Indigenous Technology Development An important objective of the programme is to encourage indigenous technology development. The initiative supports the development and demonstration of technologies that can contribute to India’s domestic capabilities in solar thermal applications. Projects should demonstrate technological value and potential for wider deployment in industrial settings. Pilot Demonstration and Scalability The programme supports pilot demonstrations that can provide practical evidence of the performance and potential of CST-based process heating solutions. Preference within the programme’s objectives is given to projects that can be: - Replicated. - Scaled up. - Deployed across industrial clusters. - Used as models for wider adoption. Successful demonstrations can help industry stakeholders understand the practical benefits and implementation requirements of solar thermal process heating. Role of Industry Associations and Technology Providers The initiative encourages collaboration among key stakeholders. Industry associations and technology providers are expected to contribute to: - Identifying suitable projects. - Supporting project implementation. - Monitoring project progress. - Facilitating successful outcomes. - Supporting wider dissemination of results. Such collaboration is intended to help ensure that successful technologies can move beyond individual demonstrations and reach a broader range of industrial users. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include industries involved in different parts of the solar thermal technology ecosystem.

Eligible applicants include:

- Industries engaged in the manufacture of solar thermal technologies. - Industries involved in solar thermal technology development. - Industries engaged in the deployment of solar thermal technologies. - Industries utilizing solar thermal technologies. - Beneficiary industries utilizing solar thermal systems in consortium mode. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project aligns with the programme’s focus on CST technology for industrial process heating. Consortium-Based Applications Beneficiary industries utilizing solar thermal systems may participate in consortium mode. This provides an opportunity for technology providers and industrial beneficiaries to work together on projects demonstrating the practical application of CST systems. Consortium proposals should clearly establish the roles of participating organizations and explain how the collaboration will contribute to successful implementation and wider adoption. How to Prepare a Strong Proposal Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed project will accelerate the adoptio