Solar Energy Future in India
Issue: Vol.4 No.2
Authors:
R.P. Deshpande
Abstract:
Solar energy, the fastest growing renewable energy, can deliver at least half the world’s energy needs by 2050. In fact, one estimate suggests the solar energy may actually meet the entire capacity requirement of the whole world by using less than 1% of earth’s land area. Photovoltaic energy is no longer too costly. It is already on par or cheaper than diesel, and will economically overtake thermal energy from coal in a few years. Governments all over the world are promoting solar energy and many countries including India are offering attractive schemes to make solar viable. Solar energy can be used by photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated thermal power (CSP), apart from the use for hot water and kitchens. PV power also is used on small scale as rooftop panels for home and on small and medium scale in-house consumption, while small and large power plants up to a few MW range are in operation. Building designs are incorporating PV panels in their designs (BIPV) CSP is being developed for medium and large scale generation using different methods. India has schemes like JNNSM and others which are changing lives of remote villages, and states are enforcing their own policies within overall framework to promote solar energy. .India has vast potential for solar, as it has one of the highest incident natural solar energy at its disposal. With costs heading downwards, solar energy may well become a major source of energy in near future. In fact, this source has the potential to meet the entire global energy requirements in just a few years!
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