Solar Energy In India: Benefits And Future
by Diksha Sharma Blogger and writerIndia stands fifth in the world in the consumption and production of electricity. It is a rapidly growing economy with more than 1 billion people. The production of electricity has expanded over the past few years, but the population is also continuously expanding. The power produced is mostly from coal (53%), and it is predicted that India’s coal reserves won’t last beyond 2040-50.
More than 72% of the population living in villages and half of those villages remain without electricity. It’s high time that India should concentrate more on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation. To meet this ever-increasing demand solar system for home and offices is the best method to bridge the energy demand-supply gap.
India has a tremendous scope of generating solar energy. The geographical location stands to its benefit for generating solar power. The reason - India is a tropical country, and it receives solar radiation almost throughout the year, which totals to 3,000 hours of sunshine. This equals to more than 5,000 trillion kWh.
States like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have great potential for tapping solar energy. Since the majority of the population lives in rural areas, there is much scope in those areas. Some advantages of solar energy are as follows:
This is an inexhaustible source of power and the best substitute to other non-renewable energies in India.
Solar energy is environment-friendly. When in use, it does not release CO2 and other harmful gases. India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, and that is why it really needs that source.
Solar energy can be used for numerous purposes such as drying, cooking, heating, or electricity, which is suitable for the rural areas in India. It can also be used in cars, as solar calculators, large powerboats, planes, satellites, and many more such items.
It is inexhaustible. In an energy deficient country like India, where power generation is costly, investment in solar energy is the best alternative for power generation.
One doesn’t need a power or gas grid to get solar energy. Anyone can install rooftop solar anywhere.
The use of solar energy can reduce the use of firewood and dung cakes by rural households, which eventually reduces air pollution.
Many large projects have been proposed in India:
Thar Desert has some of India’s best solar power projects, estimated to generate around 700 to 2,100 GW.
On March 1st, 2014, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, inaugurated India’s biggest solar power plant at Diken in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh.
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launched is targeting 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022.
Gujarat’s 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.
Considering all these facts, India does have the potential to be a solar power driven country of the world. Hence, going solar will improve the economy as well as the environment.
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Created on Sep 2nd 2019 00:34. Viewed 385 times.