NISE Invites Start-ups for Renewable Energy Incubation Program

The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), in collaboration with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and AIC IIT Delhi, has officially launched a call for proposals under its Renewable Energy (RE) Start-up Incubation Program, aimed at nurturing next-generation clean energy start-ups.

The program is designed to support early-stage innovators currently operating at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–4, helping them accelerate development to reach TRL 6–8, which corresponds to a market-ready or deployable stage.

According to NISE, the initiative will specifically focus on critical sectors driving India’s clean energy transition. These include solar energy technologies, green hydrogen production, energy storage solutions, smart grids, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in renewable energy, circular economy and sustainability, as well as decentralised renewable energy and AgriPV applications.

Start-ups selected under the program will gain access to a suite of advanced resources. This includes the use of NISE’s cutting-edge testing and research facilities, expert mentorship from top industry leaders facilitated through NSEFI, and comprehensive incubation support from Atal Incubation Center (AIC) at IIT Delhi.

Additionally, participants will be connected with potential investors, pilot deployment opportunities, and vital industry networks to support commercialisation and scale-up.

The last date for proposal submission is August 26, 2025, with applications to be sent via email. NISE officials said this initiative aligns with India’s larger renewable energy ambitions and aims to fast-track technological innovations that can contribute meaningfully to sectors like solar manufacturing, energy storage, and sustainable energy deployment across rural and urban landscapes.

Industry experts believe the program could be a game-changer for India’s RE ecosystem, offering crucial support to start-ups working on solutions that can tackle real-world energy challenges while contributing to India’s net-zero targets.