Solar Energy in India
Solar Energy in India
India, a rapidly growing economy with more than 1 billion
people, is facing a huge energy demand. The country stands fifth in the world
in the production and consumption of electricity. The electricity production
has expanded over the years but we cannot deny the fact that the population of
the country is also expanding. The power produced in the country is mostly from
coal (53%) and it is predicted that country’s coal reserves won’t last beyond
2040-50. More than 72% population living in villages and half of the villages
remain without electricity. It’s high time that our country should concentrate
more on energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. To meet this
surging demand, solar energy is the best form of energy to fulfill the energy
needs of India and bridge the energy demand-supply gap.
Solar Energy in India
India has tremendous scope of
generating solar energy. The geographical location of the country stands to its
benefit for generating solar energy. The reason being India is a tropical
country and it receives solar radiation almost throughout the year, which
amounts to 3,000 hours of sunshine. This is equal to more than 5,000 trillion
kWh. Almost all parts of India receive 4-7 kWh of solar radiation per sq
metres. This is equivalent to 2,300–3,200 sunshine hours per year. States like
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa,
Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have great potential for tapping solar
energy due to their location. Since majority of the population lives in rural
areas, there is much scope for solar energy being promoted in these areas. Use
of solar energy can reduce the use of firewood and dung cakes by rural
household.
Advantages of
Solar Energy in India
Some of the advantages of
solar energy which makes it all the more suitable for India are as follows:
This is an inexhaustible source of energy and the best
replacement to other non-renewable energies in India.
Solar energy is environment friendly. When in use, it does
not release CO2 and other gases which pollute the air. Hence it is very
suitable for India, India being one of the most polluted countries of the
world.
Solar energy can be used for variety of purposes like as
heating, drying, cooking or electricity, which is suitable for the rural areas
in India. It can also be used in cars, planes, large power boats, satellites,
calculators and many more such items, just apt for the urban population.
Solar power is inexhaustible. In an energy deficient country
like India, where power generation is costly, solar energy is the best
alternate means of power generation.
You don’t need a power or gas grid to get solar energy. A
solar energy system can be installed anywhere. Solar panels can be easily
placed in houses. Hence, it is quite inexpensive compared to other sources of
energy.
Disadvantages
of Solar Energy in India
We cannot generate energy during the night time with solar
energy.
And, also during day time, the weather may be cloudy or
rainy, with little or no sun radiation. Hence, this makes solar energy panels
less reliable as a solution.
Only those areas that receive good amount of sunlight are
suitable for producing solar energy.
Solar panels also require inverters and storage batteries to
convert direct electricity to alternating electricity so as to generate
electricity. While installing a solar panel is quite cheap, installing other
equipments becomes expensive.
The land space required to install a solar plant with solar
panel is quite large and that land space remains occupied for many years
altogether and cannot be used for other purposes.
Energy production is quite low compared to other forms of
energy.
Solar panels require considerable maintenance as they are
fragile and can be easily damaged. So extra expenses are incurred as additional
insurance costs.
Solar Energy Power in India : Future
Thar Desert has some of India’s best solar power projects,
estimated to generate 700 to 2,100 GW.
On March 1st, 2014, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat,
Narendra Modi, inaugurated at Diken in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, India’s biggest solar
power plant.
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launched
by the Centre is targeting 20,000 MW of solar energy power by 2022
Gujarat’s pioneering solar power policy aims at 1,000 MW of
solar energy generation.
In July 2009, a $19 billion solar power plan was unveiled
which projected to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020.
About 66 MW is installed for various applications in the
rural area, amounting to be used in solar lanterns, street lighting systems and
solar water pumps, etc.
India is slowly gaining its prominence in the generation of solar power due to the comprehensive and ambitious state and the Centre’s solar policies and projects and National Solar Mission. In the latest 2014 budget, Finance Minister Jaitley declared that the Government has proposed an amount of 500 crore rupees to develop some mega solar power plants in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Ladakh. He also said that solar power-driven agricultural water pumping stations and 1 MW solar parks on canal banks will be developed in the country at an estimated cost of $74 million and $18.5 million, respectively. Considering all these facts, we do have a bright picture in front of us as India’s potential to be a solar power driven country of the world.
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