Future Of Solar Power In India

In today’s world, energy demand is quite high in the industrial and domestic sectors. Non-renewable energy sources are getting exhausted rapidly, so, we have to go for renewable energy sources as far as possible. With the help of modern technology, it becomes possible to utilize natural resources like sunlight to generate energy. Solar panels function as a central power station converting sunlight into electrical energy that can be used for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes. Solar energy is one of the best resources to produce electricity in those areas where conventional power generation is either not possible or quite expensive. Solar power has brought a new era of power generation and accessibility to power In India. The ability of solar power to be produced easily and distributed widely has benefitted industrial and domestic sectors by meeting their energy needs. 

The Advantages of Solar Power:

Solar power generation is done from a renewable source of energy. The power from the sun is utilized to produce energy which also reduces the use of non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. Solar energy does not release harmful gasses or require the burning of fossil fuels like oils and coals. The energy produced using solar cells can provide power without any need to depend on other sources of electricity.  Solar power is a very affordable solution to produce energy. It is also a very convenient and effective means of generating electricity that can cater to the needs of rural areas. In the industrial sector, solar energy-based power generating systems have proven to be capable of meeting adequate energy requirements.

Future of Solar Energy In India:

People are thinking of non-conventional energy sources as thermal energy sources are getting exhausted day by day. India has taken some major steps toward the generation of solar energy to handle the growing energy demands in the country. Solar thermal power plants are coming up in different parts of the country to produce electricity like conventional power stations. India has emerged as one of the leading countries to utilize the benefits of a viable and environment-friendly option for energy production using solar power. Solar power has the capacity to meet the increased energy requirements of industrial, commercial, and domestic sectors.

The transition from conventional energy resources to non-conventional solar energy will handle the issue of over-consumption of non-renewable energy resources.  It is a renewable source available in abundance in India that should be utilized effectively to meet the growing energy demands in the country. 

Solar energy is considered a cost-effective solution for energy production. The initial installation cost may be a bit high, but once started working it can help save money in the long run. The solar panels used for converting sunlight to electric power usually have a lifespan of many years and maintenance is also easier. The future of solar energy in India looks very bright because of the number of ways in which solar power can be put to use. Today, we have solar-powered equipment and appliances that can function with the help of solar energy. This includes lights, fans, inverters, cables, power conditioning units, home appliances, solar road safety equipment, and street lights. The electric energy produced from solar power will be used to run electrical appliances without any dependency on the steady supply of electricity. Solar power can help reduce electricity consumption and the cost of electricity for domestic and industrial use. 

At present, there are some best solar projects in India and more are coming up. The state of Gujarat is in a leading position in solar power generation. The Indian government has made a plan to upgrade some of the Indian cities to solar cities where solar power production will be carried out extensively. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission has the objective of establishing India as one of the leading solar energy producers. Many states in India, like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana have been identified as having good potential to harness the solar energy for power generation, due to their strategic locations. Solar parks are planned to be set up to utilize solar power for electricity generation. The Ministry of Defense, Government of India has launched a scheme where solar power becomes compulsory for building areas covering more than 100 square meters. Such buildings will receive tax benefits to encourage promoting solar power.

Important Government Data On Solar Power in India:

• India has added 10 Gigawatt of solar energy to its cumulative installed capacity in 2021.
• Thar region in Rajasthan has some of the best solar projects in the country generating about 2,100 GW of power.

Conclusion:

India has always faced a shortage of energy despite being one of the largest producers of electricity in the world. There will be an increase in electricity demands with the increasing population. There is a need for adequate capacity enhancement with alternative sources of energy. A major and very important step in this regard is the development of solar energy, which is inexhaustible and can be produced at a low marginal cost. It has the potential to increase energy capacity by utilizing a non-conventional and abundant power resource. Solar power is a good alternative to the conventional power supply. It also reduces the requirement for fossil fuels and minimizes environmental pollution.

Solar energy development in India can be an important tool for solving power problems in underdeveloped regions and facilitating regional economic development. Many states of India have great potential for developing solar power systems that can provide secure electricity supply to domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors. The socio-economic benefits of using solar energy can be observed in areas where people put hard labour into the collection of fuel for cooking. The availability of electricity in remote areas allows people to utilize its benefits to improve their standard of living and create economic opportunities.