GS3 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Energy Generation | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose? (UPSC GS3 Mains)

It has been known for more than 150 years that light can have an effect on the electrical properties of some materials. This is called the photoelectric effect. In 1921, Einstein received the Nobel Prize for his work explaining this. Photovoltaic cells are based on a related phenomenon called the photovoltaic effect, and they convert light directly into electricity.
Benefits of obtaining electric energy from sunlight 

• Impact on the Environment: Solar energy has the least negative impact on the environment compared to any other energy source. It does not produce greenhouse gases and does not pollute the water. 
• Reduce Your Energy Bill: Generating your own electricity means that you will be using less from the utility supplier. This will immediately translate to savings on your energy bill. Plus, you can also make money by selling the unused electricity, which you have generated, back to the grid. 
• Solar Energy Is Applicable Everywhere: As long as there is sunshine, solar energy can be deployed anywhere. This is particularly useful for remote regions with no access to any other source of electricity. There is a vast amount of people around the world with no access to electricity. 
• Less Electricity Lost During Long-Distance Transport: Having solar panels on the roof or in the yard significantly reduces this distance, therefore increasing the efficiency of the solar panels. 
• Improves Grid Security: The grid is less vulnerable to blackouts if there are many power plants which are spread out. A grid with high penetration of solar energy has thousands of energy production centres which are widely spread out. This improves the security of the grid in case of overload, natural or human-caused disasters. 

Disadvantages of obtaining electric energy from conventional sources 

• Pollution: The primary drawback of these conventional sources is they purpose excessive pollutants. The burning of firewood and fossil fuels result in air pollutants. This may be prevented by means of using those non-conventional resources. 
• Exhaustible: The major problem while the use of conventional sources in particular fossil fuels is that they may be exhaustible resources. It takes tens of millions of years for them to be renewed and replenished. But non-traditional resources are renewable resources that do not get exhausted. 
• Risky: Non-conventional power extraction is safer. Many injuries arise at the same time as extracting strength from mines. 
• High value: The extraction of these electricity assets is very pricey both economically and environmentally. The cost of electricity production and extraction is lots lesser for non-traditional resources if the initial cost of establishment is borne. 

Initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose 

• Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission: The aim of JNNSM mission is not limited to offering large-scale grid-connected power but also transform India’s rural economy. The quick spread of solar lighting systems, water pumps, and other solar power-based applications will change India’s rural economy. The mission is to expand and establish India as a global leader in solar energy sector. 
• Rooftop Scheme: Under the rooftop scheme executed by SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India), 200 MW of projects has been allocated, out of which 45 MW of capacity have been commissioned. Addition to this, special schemes including 73 MW for warehouses and 50 MW for the CPWD (Central Public Works Department) have been launched. 
• Solar Park Scheme: The Solar Parkis a concentrated zone of development of solar power generation projects. The implementation agency would be SECI on behalf of Government of India. The state will be able to reduce its carbon footprint by avoiding emissions equivalent to the solar park’s generated capacity. 
• VGF (Viability Gap Funding) Scheme: VGF support will be provided for setting up of gridconnected solar PV projects of a minimum 2000 MW capacity by solar power developers on build own operate basis. 
• UDAY Scheme:UDAY or UjjwalDiscom Assurance Yojna was launched in November 2015 as a revival package for electricity distribution companies of India initiated by the Government of India with the idea to find permanent solar power solutions to the financial mess that the power distribution was facing at that time. It aims at reforming the power sector, operational improvement, and development in renewable energy, reduction of cost of generation of power, energy efficiency, and conservation. 

Conclusion 
Solar power is an immense source of directly useable energy and ultimately creates other energy resources: biomass, wind, and hydropower and wave energy. Most of the Earth’s surface receives sufficient solar energy to permit low-grade heating of water and buildings, although there are large variations with latitude and season. At low latitudes, simple mirror devices can concentrate solar energy sufficiently for cooking and even for driving steam turbines.