India and its stand on the Solar Energy

India is one of the largest contributors to the carbon emission after China and USA. Though steps have been taken to reduce the emission and policies have been implemented, but are they enough?

Let’s find out what challenge we need to overcome and what India’s stand on the Solar Energy is:

• India's Solar Power Potential: As per the Ministry of the New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the country's total solar potential is 750 GW.
• As of 2018, India's Solar Grid has reached a capacity of 26 GW in comparison with 3 GW in 2014.

Technical Challenges:

• India's Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of solar photovoltaic is between 11%-30% which is less. CUF is the energy generated as a percentage of installed capacity.
• It's not cost effective because of its low efficiency of panels and high costs of battery.
• Solar Rooftop System has a high cost of initial installation.
• Competition from Coal Power Generation Plants emerged as cheaper with lesser emissions and higher efficiency.

Lack of Indigenous Manufacturing Capacity for Solar panels:

• India imports over 90% of its solar panels.
• China is flooding India with its solar panel exports which further endanger the growth of Indian Companies.

Other Challenges:

• Availability of Land: 250 acres of land for every 40-60 MW generated.
• Minimal Research& Development done on Solar Technology in India.

Steps Taken To Overcome These Challenges:

• India's Solar Energy targets: 100 GW solar power installed capacity by the end of 2123022.Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed to achieve it through 60 GW of large and medium scale solar projects, and 40 GW through rooftop solar projects.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) under its scheme has proposed Development of Solar cities.
• Over 34 solar parks in 21 states with an aggregate capacity of 20,000 MW have been approved.
• Scheme for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar power plants.
• Sristi Scheme: It is sustainable rooftop implementation for a solar transfiguration of India under which Indian Government subsidizes rooftop solar plant installation.
• International Solar Alliance: Led by India and France that will focus on promoting and developing solar energy and solar products in remote areas. The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of over 122 countries started by India, most of them being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

So, we can say India is moving the right direction towards using the solar potential and the future looks bright.