June 13 – GS1/Geography: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1: India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. (UPSC GS1 Mains)

Answer:

Life on earth is heliocentric as most of its energy is derived from the sun. Imminent climatic changes and the demand for clean energy sources have induced significant global interest in solar energy. It has been observed that, solar as viable alternative for power generation among the available clean energy sources has the highest global warming mitigation potential.
Solar energy incident on the earth’s surface, also called as insolation primarily depends on parameters like geographic location, earth–sun movements, tilt of the earth’s rotational axis and atmospheric attenuation due to suspended particles. The immense potential of solar energy in India and regional variations. 

• India is one of the best recipients of solar energy due to its favourable location in the solar belt (40æ%S to 40æ%N).The National Solar Mission (NSM) launched in January 2010 has given a great boost to the solar scenario in the country. But due to the geographical expanse of the country there are seen regional variations in the development of this renewable energy resource. 
• Annual radiation of solar energy is highest in northern region, especially in Ladakh and least in the North-Eastern Region. Some areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra also receive a large amount of solar radiation as compared to other areas of India. The solar radiation level receives lowest in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. 
• According to Ministry of Power Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will be the major producer of solar energy by the year 2022 due to the high solar potential, irradiation etc. available in these states Seeing the potential of solar hotspot regions in the country, recently the government has dedicated a solar power plant to the country in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
• It has been acknowledged in India and abroad for its robust project structuring and innovations. It has also received World Bank Group President’s Award for innovation and excellence. 

Conclusion

India due to its geographical advantages can harness a tremendous amount of solar power but for that it requires huge technological advancement and financial support. Organisation like International Solar Alliance can help India become a major player in generating solar power. With an ambitious solar mission, and positively evolving policy instruments, the nation will rightly adorn the epithet of ‘Solar India’ in the near future.