Solar Energy - People, Development and Environment Notes

About Solar Energy

• Solar energy is one of the renewable energies, and it is defined as energy created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the sun.

• Sunlight that passes through the atmosphere is mostly in the form of visible light and infrared radiation.
• To convert solar energy into electricity, solar panels are used.
• Solar light coming from the sun is necessary for life on earth, and it is harvested for clean energy as well.
• Plants use solar energy to convert into sugar and starches, and this process of conversion is known as photosynthesis.
• China is the largest producer of solar energy, followed by the USA, Japan, Germany, and India.

India's INDC goals

• At the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in December 2015, countries committed to reducing global warming through their initiatives called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
• India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC's) commitment is to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from the 2005 level.
• Also, India aims to achieve about 40 percent of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
• India aims to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

Technology

• Solar photovoltaic (SPV) cells convert solar radiation (sunlight) into electricity.
• A solar cell is a semi-conducting device made of silicon and other materials, which, when exposed to sunlight, generates electricity.

Solar power in India

• India's solar energy installed capacity reached 35.12 GW on 30 June 2020
• Indian government's initial target was 20 G.W. capacity for 2022.
• But, in 2015, the target was increased to 100 GW of solar capacity in which 40 G.W. would be from rooftop solar and 60 G.W. through the grid by 2022.
• Today, rooftop solar power accounts for 2.1 GW, of which 70% is industrial or commercial.
• India proposed International Solar Alliance (ISA) in the 2015 Paris summit
• ISA is headquartered in India.
• India has also initiated the concept of "One Sun One World one Grid" to harness abundant solar power on a global scale.

Government initiatives

• The Ministry of New and renewable energy is the nodal agency to tackle India's energy issue.
• To promote ecologically sustainable growth and address India's energy requirement, India proposed National Solar Mission.
• To provide loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, requirement Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a Non-Banking Financial Institution, is the main authority.
• The Ministry of natural resources and environment created the National solar energy institute as an autonomous research and development institution.
• The government also establishes solar parks to connect them with grid connectivity infrastructure.
• (SRISTI) scheme to promote rooftop solar power projects in India.
• Suryamitra program to prepare a qualified workforce.
• Renewable purchase obligation for large energy consumer customers.
• National green energy program and green energy corridor.

India's top 10 states by installed solar power capacity

1. Karnataka
2. Telangana
3. Rajasthan
4. Andhra Pradesh
5. Tamil Nadu
6. Gujarat
7. Madhya Pradesh
8. Maharashtra
9. Uttar Pradesh
10. Punjab

Top 10 Rooftop Solar States by Installed Capacity in India

1. Gujarat
2. Karnataka
3. Rajasthan
4. Maharashtra
5. Delhi
6. Tamil Nadu
7. Uttar Pradesh
8. Haryana
9. Punjab
10. Telangana

Top 10 States Have the Highest Solar Energy Potential in India

1. Rajasthan
2. Jammu & Kashmir
3. Maharashtra
4. Madhya Pradesh
5. Andhra Pradesh
6. Gujarat
7. Himachal Pradesh
8. Odisha
9. Karnataka
10. Uttar Pradesh