Solar Power and India

Solar power is crucial for India but will not serve every energy need.

India has pledged to generate nearly half its energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 to combat the global climate catastrophe.
In the shorter term, it sources at least 60% of its renewable energy from solar power.
However, a disclosure in Parliament by the Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy suggests that India faces significant headwinds in this quest.
Creating huge solar parks is a central policy for sourcing solar energy; smaller solar power projects typically result in higher production costs per unit.
To make it easier to create huge parks, the Center published the “Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Solar Power Projects” regulation in 2014.
The original goal was to establish 25 parks by 2019 that could produce at least 20,000 MW.

Importance of Solar energy
- Solar energy is an infinite energy source, unlike traditional energy sources like fossil fuels.
- Solar energy is a clean form of energy because it produces no pollution.
- No fuel is needed: Solar energy serves as its fuel.
- Solar power, once installed, eventually becomes an inexpensive, sustainable energy source.

India’s capacity to develop sustainable solar energy
- India has tremendous scope for generating solar energy.
- The geographical location of the country stands to its benefit for generating solar energy.
- The explanation is that India is a tropical country with 3,000 hours of sunshine annually and receives solar radiation virtually all year round.
- This is equivalent to almost 5,000 trillion kWh. India receives 4–7 kWh of solar radiation per square metre almost everywhere.
- This translates to 2,300–3,200 hours of sunshine annually.
- Because of their geographic location, states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have a lot of potential to harness solar energy.

This is India’s best renewable energy alternative because it is an endless supply of power.
Solar energy has an endless supply.
Solar energy is the finest alternative source of power generation in an energy-scarce nation like India, where the cost of generating electricity is high.
A power or gas grid is not required to obtain solar energy.
- Anywhere can have a solar energy system installed.
- Houses can readily accommodate solar panels. As a result, it is fairly affordable compared to other energy sources.
Solar energy is excellent for India’s rural communities since it may be used for various tasks, including cooking, drying, heating, and power.
It may also be utilised in calculators, satellites, huge power boats, cars, planes, and other similar devices, which is ideal for urban dwellers.

Solar energy is insufficient for nighttime energy production.
Additionally, it may be gloomy or wet during the day with little to no sunlight.
- As a result, solar energy panels become less trustworthy as a solution.

Solar energy can only be produced in locations that receive sufficient sunshine.
To create power, solar panels also need inverters and storage batteries to convert direct electricity to alternating electricity.
- While installing a solar panel is quite inexpensive, doing so for other equipment is more costly.

Compared to other sources of energy, energy generation is quite low.
Solar panels need a lot of upkeep because they are delicate and easily broken.
- As a result, additional fees are incurred for insurance.

What needs to be done to support the small-scale solar sector in rural areas?
- Implementing solar energy at the trim scale level is costly and complicated.
- Implementing solar energy at the trim scale level is costly and complicated.
- Because we lack qualified technical personnel for repair work, given the shallow penetration of solar installation.
- Despite the government’s lack of interest in expanding the small-scale solar industry and its greatest concentration on large-scale solar power projects.
- Due to the high expense and inconveniences associated with solar energy, customers must commit significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- This is absent, which is why decentralised solar energy is not gaining traction in India.
- To create a market for renewable energy, there must be a significant change in government policy and significantly more support for the industry.
- If the energy conundrum is to be resolved, establish an environment where consumers may quickly adopt these systems.

Some of India’s best solar power plants, with a potential output of 700 to 2,100 GW, are located in the Thar Desert.
India’s largest solar power facility, Diken, was opened on March 1, 2014, by PrimeMinister.
Gujarat’s innovative solar power programme seeks to generate 1,000 MW by 2022, whereas the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), created by the Center, has a target of 20,000 MW.
A $19 billion solar power plant was proposed in July 2009 to generate 20 GW of solar power by 2020.
A total of 66 MW is installed for diverse uses in the rural area, including solar water pumps, street lighting systems, and lanterns.

India is slowly gaining prominence in solar power generation due to its comprehensive and ambitious state.
- The Centre’s solar policies and projects and National Solar Mission.
The country will create 1 MW solar parks on canal banks and solar-powered agricultural water pumping stations for an anticipated total cost of $74 million and $18.5 million, respectively.
Considering all these facts, we have a bright picture in front of us of India’s potential to be a solar power-driven country of the world.

Pic Courtesy: Down to Earth

Content Source: The Hindu