Why in the News?
India has inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at CSIR National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi.
National Environmental Standard Laboratory NESL
- An apex national facility for testing, calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring instruments
- Designed specifically for Indian climatic and environmental conditions
Location
- CSIR National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi
Institutions Involved
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- CSIR National Physical Laboratory
Objectives
- Establish India specific environmental measurement standards
- Improve accuracy and reliability of air quality data
- Support implementation of National Clean Air Programme
Key Features
- Calibration under Indian conditions such as temperature, humidity and dust load
- Provides traceable and standardised pollution data
- Supports regulators, startups, MSMEs and domestic manufacturers
- Only UK and India currently have such national level facilities
Significance
- Strengthens pollution governance
- Reduces dependence on foreign calibration labs
- Improves credibility of air quality monitoring across India
National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration
- A high precision metrology facility for calibration of solar cells
- Ensures globally comparable photovoltaic measurements
Location
- CSIR National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi
Key Features
- Uses Laser based Differential Spectral Responsivity system
- Achieves world leading uncertainty of 0.35 percent (k=2)
- Developed in collaboration with Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
- Only the fifth such facility worldwide
Importance
- Supports solar manufacturing and R and D
- Enhances trust in Indian photovoltaic performance data
- Boosts renewable energy transition and exports
Significance
- Positions India as a global leader in environmental and energy metrology
- Strengthens Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Supports climate action, clean energy goals and evidence based policymaking
Prelims Pointers
- NESL is linked to air pollution monitoring
- Solar calibration facility ensures international PV measurement standards
- CSIR NPL is India’s national metrology institute
- Only five countries globally have national primary solar calibration facilities
| [2014] With reference to technology for solar power production, consider the following statements:
1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process. 2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC). 3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for photovoltaics. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) None of the above |
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