Renewable Energy (RE) is now making a noticeable impact especially in the lives of rural masses. Simultaneously though, its use for urban and semi-urban applications is also growing by the day. The Indian RE programme was amongst the first few such programmes to shape up globally. Since then, it has assumed respectable market leadership position in a few areas more so in wind energy and solar energy. Increasing usability of the Renewable energy leads to the establishment of RE relevant fraternities. 

The Solar Energy of India (SESI), established in 1976, and having its Secretariat in New Delhi, is the Indian Section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES). SESI is a multi-faceted national membership organization. With its long history and extensive technical and scientific expertise provided by its members, the Society is a modern, future oriented non-governmental organization (NGO). SESI has been serving the needs of the renewable energy community and the Society supports its members in the advancement of renewable energy technological, implementation and education.

Objectives

The objectives of SESI are to advance, promote & propagate the use of all forms of renewable energy by encouraging basic and applied research in renewable energy. Its interests cover all aspects of renewable energy, including characteristics, effects and methods of use, and it provides a common ground to all those concerned with the nature and utilization of this renewable non-polluting resource.

The Society is interdisciplinary in nature, with most of the leading energy researchers and manufacturers of renewable energy systems and devices of the country as its members. High academic attainments are not a prerequisite for membership and any person engaged in research, development or utilization of renewable energy or in fields related to renewable energy and interested in the promotion of renewable energy utilization can become a member of the society.

Functions

• To encourage the use and acceptance of Renewable Energy technologies.
• To realize a national community of industry, individuals and institutions in support of Renewable Energy.
• To create and distribute publications for various target groups to support the dissemination of renewable energy technologies.
• To bring together industry, science and politics in workshops, conferences and summits on Renewable Energy.
• To advise governments and organizations in policy, implementation and sustainability of Renewable Energy activities in  India.

Activities

1. Collecting, compiling, and disseminating information relating to renewable energy.
2. Organizing seminars and conferences, by publishing books, memoirs, journals and proceedings in the field of renewable energy.
3. Instituting awards.
4. Establishing formal education curriculum in collaboration with other institutions.
5. Establishing renewable Energy Centres in collaboration with corporates, NGOs, Foundations, individuals and government bodies
6. Collaborating and co-operating with other scientific societies, institutions, and academies in the country and abroad for research, development, and furtherance of renewable energy utilization.
7. Expanding the existing membership base.
8. Interaction with the International Solar Energy Society for possible initiation of any joint activities.
9. Recognition of the leading lights of the day in the entire area of RE.
10. Hosting of an International Conference on Renewable Energy better known as ICORE annually.
11. Conducts the meetings of SESI Governing Council & Annual General Meetings of SESI Members.

Members of SESI

SESI has presently 2000 members consisting of (1) Life Members, (2) Student Members,(3) Organizational Members, (4) Fellows and (5) Patrons. SESI has regional chapters located in Guwahati (North-Eastern Chapter), Kolkata (Eastern Chapter), Andhra Pradesh and local chapters in Pondicherry and Coimbatore.

Administration

The affairs and property of the society are administered by its Governing Council consisting of 20 members including the President, six Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and 11 members of whom one shall be the immediate past-President (ex-officio). The council meets two or three times in a year. Day-to-day administration is provided by the Society Secretariat. Regions in which sufficient interest exists, regional or local chapters of the Society have been/can be established. The Annual meeting of the members is held at the time of its Annual Convention.

SESI Journal

SESI Journal publishes original contributions on all the aspects of renewable energy including basic science, technology, policy, economics, extension and field monitoring issues. It contains research papers, technical notes, short communications, book reviews, letters to the authors, reports of conferences and meetings etc. SESI Journal will be useful to graduates, postgraduates, researchers and professionals working in different areas of renewable energy.