Archive · 6 Jan 2026
India Inaugurates Key Environmental and Solar Labs
Union Minister Jitendra Singh opened two important labs in New Delhi.
The first lab will test and certify machines that check air pollution.
This is important because it will help India rely less on other countries for this work and make sure the machines work well in India's weather.
The second lab will test solar panels to make sure they work well.
This puts India among the top countries in the world for solar technology.
The labs will help the government and companies follow clean air rules better and make India a leader in solar energy.
The minister also talked about how important science and technology are for India's future.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at CSIR-NPL in New Delhi.
The National Environmental Standard Laboratory is the world's second of its kind and will certify air pollution monitoring equipment, reducing India's dependence on foreign agencies.
The facility will test equipment like OCEMS and CAAQMS under Indian climatic conditions, supporting regulatory bodies and industries.
The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration is the world's fifth and uses a laser-based system developed with PTB, Germany, achieving the lowest uncertainty globally at 0.35% (k=2).
The labs aim to enhance environmental governance, save foreign exchange, shorten turnaround time for calibration, and boost investor confidence in India's solar sector.
- Who
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh
- What
- Inaugurated the National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration
- When
- January 5
- Where
- New Delhi, at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
- Why
- To strengthen India’s environmental governance and renewable energy ecosystem, reduce dependence on foreign certification, and enhance investor confidence in the solar sector
- Location
- New Delhi
- Inaugurated By
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh
- Facility Name
- National Environmental Standard Laboratory
- Institution
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
- Purpose
- Certify air pollution monitoring equipment
- Additional Facility
- National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration
- Benefits
- Reduce foreign dependence, save foreign exchange, enhance investor confidence
- Equipment Tested
- Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Equipment (OCEMS), Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS)
- Global Ranking
- Second in the world for environmental standards, fifth for solar cell calibration
- Collaboration
- PTB, Germany
- Uncertainty Achievement
- 0.35% (k=2) for reference solar cell calibration
