The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) has made out a strong case before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to launch a solar energy mission on the lines of the Space Commission to meet India's growing energy needs. In a communication to the prime minister, NMCC chairman V Krishnamurthy said activities relating to solar energy should be put "in top gear to make it the major supplier of energy in the coming years'. Given the huge investment needs and big effort required for research and development and its commercial adoption, NMCC has suggested a mission approach in the solar energy sector.