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“Is solar worth it in India?”

Is solar worth it in India

1. Solar Energy In India

India is a land blessed with an abundance of sunshine, making solar energy an attractive alternative to traditional sources of electricity. But is solar worth it in India? This blog post explores the economic, environmental, and practical considerations of going solar in India. Whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, or a policymaker, this post will equip you with the information you need to make an informed decision about the viability of solar energy in India.

In India, electricity is primarily produced by hydroelectric and thermal power plants. Since electricity is cheap compared to fuel for powering industries and residences, energy production must be more focused on renewable resources of energy.

Solar energy is one of the most reliable and dependable means of energy. Capitalizing on the benefits can be great energy as well as money-saving opportunities for small homes as well as industries. With better and improved technological advantages in the future, we anticipate that solar power will become a mainstream part of the energy consumption community eventually replacing conventional non-renewable resources.

However, if solar panels are compared to the conventional way of producing electricity, they have a great advantage over the former and can give a long-term energy solution for many of our daily requirements. According to research, rooftop solar panel reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers electricity costs.

2. Development of Solar Systems in India

Generation of solar energy has tremendous scope in India. The geographical location of the country stands to its profit for generating solar energy. The explanation being India may be a tropical country and it receives radiation nearly throughout the year, that amounts to 3,000 hours of sunshine.

This is capable of quite 5,000 trillion kWh. Almost all components of India receive 4-7 kWh of radiation per sq. meters. This can be similar to 2,300–3,200 sunshine hours each year. States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have great potential for sound solar energy because of their location.

Since the majority of the population sleep in rural areas, there’s abundant scope for alternative energy being promoted in these areas. Use of solar energy will scale back the utilization of fuel and dung cakes by rural social units.

When the National solar Mission was launched in 2010, the value of alternative energy was Rs. 17/unit. The last six years, since April, 2014 have additionally witnessed a steep decline in solar tariffs from Rs. 6.47/ Kwh in 2013-14 to Rs. 1.99/Kwh in December, 2020, similar decrease was noticed in solar energy once acquisition model modified from stick in Tariffs to bidding in 2017.

The significant options and deciding factors of solar panels over conventional electricity:

  • Cost factor

Solar panels do value a small amount within the starting however compared to the price of electricity that you simply are going to be paying over the years, the panels area unit value your each penny. It not only reduces the price however additionally provides you clean emission-free energy right in your own yard. Maintenance is incredibly low and doesn’t need a lot of to do; but, the first installation will be thought about as an extended term investment to extract the most out of a solar panel.

  • Life

A solar panel lasts up to 25 years approximately; but, it still functions similarly. However, in twenty-five years there’s a large risk of higher solar panels with enhancements coming back within the market, thus a modification within the solar panels is suggested.

  • Value addition

You can save tons on your monthly electric bills nearly by 70 percent in an economical solar panel setting. The investment with quantity on a solar panel system typically reaches the break-even conversion 3-8 years relying upon its usage and supposed energy installation.In the commercial space, a solar energy system’s price decreases over time because of the damage & tear of elements and reduction in potency of solar panels. The accelerated depreciation profit permits the commercial and industrial users of solar energy to depreciate the assets, the maximum amount as by 400th (FY16-17 ahead in India), designated as solar power plants at a far higher rate than general capital assets. This enables the user to assert a tax break on the worth depreciated during a given year.

  •  Investment Factor

Compared to the value for an electricity power plant, nuclear energy plant or a thermal powerhouse for electricity generation, solar panels are a lot easier to supply and need little or no capital. except this solar energy is freely and naturally on the market. This doesn’t manufacture any harmful emissions or exploitation of nature compared to different conventional means of power generation.

  • The overall impact of alternative energy

When there’s a rise within the use of solar energy, the general load on the present consumption of energy goes down enormously. This typically releases the work permitting a good distribution of energy consumption and ultimate transition to a far additional sustainable energy within the future. This is often an excellent move and a permanent answer for equalizing the ecosystem.

  • Safety

Compared to electricity made in an exceedingly thermal or hydroelectric power plant, solar energy doesn’t need transmission lines or transformers to boost up or step down the voltages. This not only reduces the price of installation however additionally makes it a secure product to be put in right at home to be used even by youngsters with very little ability.

  1. Present Scenario Solar Energy in India 2020-2021
  • Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
  • Solar energy is one of the foremost reliable and dependable means of energy. Capitalizing on the advantages will be nice energy and money-saving for little homes as well as industries. With higher and improved technological benefits in the future, we tend to anticipate that solar power can become a thought a part of the energy consumption community eventually replacing conventional non-renewable resources.
  • In present times, the planet has been adopting renewable power at a fast rate. India is additionally rising within the international arena as a leading renewable energy generator. In its efforts to move more toward property development, the govt. has set a target to realize 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of 2022. Out of this, 100 GW is the target set for solar installations.
  • India has one amongst the best rates of growth for renewable energy within the world. As per Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2020 report, throughout the amount 2014-2019, renewable energy programs associated with India attracted an investment of US$ 64.2 billion (Rs. 4.7 lakh crore)
YearInstalled RE Capacity (in GW)% Share of RE in total Installed CapacityGeneration from Renewable Sources(in BU)Total Generation from all sources(in BU)% Share of RE in Generation
2014-1539.5514.3661.781110.185.56
2015-1646.5815.2365.781172.985.60
2016-1757.9017.6881.541241.386.56
2017-1869.7720.24101.831303.377.81
2018-1978.3121.95126.761375.969.21
2019-2087.0723.52138.321390.939.95
2020-2192.5424.53111.921017.8111.00
 (Up to Jan,(Up to Jan,(Up to Dec,(Up to Dec,(Up to Dec,
 2021)2021)2020)2020)2020)
  • India’s Solar Power Potential: India’s plan to become one of the largest solar power markets in the world has received a massive boost as the latest estimate of its solar power potential.
  • Human Resources for Renewable Energy(MNRE):

India’s ambitious targets necessitate the development of Human Resources in adequate numbers to both install and maintain RE capacities. In the last six years, the Ministry has taken a number of initiatives for this purpose.

  1. Short-Term Training and Skill Development Programs: Under this component, short-term training is imparted. This includes training for maintaining solar installations (the trained technicians are called Suryamitra), and solar water pumps (the trained technicians are called Varunmitra).
  2. National Renewable Energy Fellowship (NREF) Schemes: Scholarships/fellowships are provided to students for pursuing higher studies in renewable energy in prestigious academic/R&D institutions. This is intended to meet the demand of highly qualified manpower in the area of Renewable Energy.
  3. Support to RE Infrastructure in Educational & Research Institutions: About 15 no. of R&D/research/engineering/academic institutions have been financially supported to initiate higher studies/research courses in Renewable Energy by strengthening the RE-based infrastructure facilities such as laboratory and library facilities.
  4. National Renewable Energy Internship Scheme: The Ministry provides internship opportunities to students pursuing higher education and professionals working in the Renewable Energy sector. During the current year, 13 no. of internships were provided to M. Tech, B. Tech, M.Sc. and MBA Students under this scheme.
  5. Government Schemes for Solar System
  • In order to attain the top target, the Government of India has launched numerous schemes to encourage generation of solar energy within the country like solar Park scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU scheme, Defense scheme, Canal bank & Canal prime scheme, Bundling scheme, Grid Connected solar rooftop scheme etc.
  • Various policy measures undertaken enclosed declaration of mechanical phenomenon for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) together with solar, release of put down State transmission system (ISTS) charges and losses for inter-state sale of solar and wind generation for comes to be commissioned up to March 2022, should run standing, tips for procurement of alternative energy although tariff-based mostly competitive bidding method, Standards for preparation of solar photovoltaic systems and devices.
  • Provision of roof prime solar and tips for development of sensible cities, Amendments in building bye-laws for necessary provision of roof prime solar for brand new construction or higher Floor space quantitative relation, Infrastructure standing for solar projects, Raising tax-free solar bonds, Providing long tenor loans from multilateral agencies, etc.
  • India achieved fifth global position in solar power preparation by surpassing European countries. Solar power capability has been enhanced by over 11 times within the last 5 years from a pair of.6 GW in March,2014 to India GW in July, 2019.  Presently, solar tariff in Asian countries is extremely competitive and has achieved grid parity.
  1. State-wise Solar installation in India
Sr. No.State/UTSolar   Potential(GWp)
1.Andhra Pradesh38.44
2.Arunachal Pradesh8.65
3.Assam13.76
4.Bihar11.20
5.Chhattisgarh18.27
6.Delhi2.05
7.Goa0.88
8.Gujarat35.77
9.Haryana4.56
10.Himachal Pradesh33.84
11.Jammu & Kashmir111.05
12.Jharkhand18. 18
13.Karnataka24.70
14.Kerala6.11
15.Madhya Pradesh61.66
16.Maharashtra64.32
17.Manipur10.63
18.Meghalaya5.86
19.Mizoram9.09
20.Nagaland7.29
21.Odisha25.78
22.Punjab2.81
23.Rajasthan142.31
24.Sikkim4.94
25.Tamil Nadu17.67
26.Telangana20.41
27.Tripura2.08
28.Uttar Pradesh22.83
29.Uttarakhand16.80
30.West Bengal6.26
31.UTs0.79
Total748.98

Top Ten States in Solar Installation capacity in MW as on 31-12-2020

6. Solar power for future

  • Many massive projects are planned in India, a number of them are i). Thar Desert of India has the best solar energy projects, calculable to generate 700 to 2,100 GW, ii). The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launched by the Centre is targeting 20,000 MW of solar energy power by 2022, iii). Gujarat’s pioneering solar energy policy aims at 1,000 MW of solar power generation, and Rs. 130 billion solar energy set up was disclosed in July 2009, which is projected to provide 20 GW of solar energy by 2020. excluding higher than, 66 MW is put in for numerous applications within the country, amounting to be utilized in solar lanterns, street lighting systems and star water pumps, etc.
  • Thus, India has a large setup for solar energy generation not solely to fulfill the deficit of power generation but conjointly contribute for the most part in green Energy Production to assist to cut back the environmental conditions Changes globally.
  • The Mission targets putting in 100 GW grid-connected solar energy plants by the year 2022. this is often in line with India’s supposed across-the-country Determined Contributions (INDCs) target to realize 40 percent accumulative electrical power put in capability from non-fossil fuel primarily based energy resources and to cut back the emission intensity of its gross domestic product by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 level by 2030.

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