Solar power in India

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India is both densely populated and has high solar insolation, providing an ideal combination for
solar power in India. India is already a leader in wind power generation (Wind power in India)
and, Suzlon Energy is one of the India-based pioneering industries in world to generate non-
conventional energy. In solar energy sector, some large projects have been proposed, and a
35,000 km² area of the Thar Desert has been set aside for solar power projects, sufficient to
generate 700 to 2,100 gigawatts.
In July 2009, India unveiled a US$19 billion plan, to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020.[1]
Under the plan, solar-powered equipment and applications would be mandatory in all
government buildings including hospitals and hotels.[2] On November 18, 2009, it was reported
that India was ready to launch its National Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on
Climate Change, with plans to generate 1,000 MW of power by 2013.[3]

[edit] Annual insolation

With about 300 clear sunny days in a year, India's theoretical solar power reception, just on its
land area, is about 5 PWh/year (i.e. = 5 trillion kWh/yr ~ 600 TW).[4][5] The daily average solar
energy incident over India varies from 4 to 7 kWh/m2 with about 1500–2000 sunshine hours per
year, depending upon location. This is far more than current total energy consumption. For
example, even assuming 10% conversion efficiency for PV modules, it will still be thousand
times greater than the likely electricity demand in India by the year 2015.[4]
Status of Solar Energy in 2010
India is a country of over a billion people. As of 31st August 2010 there were 89808 villages or
15.1 % of the total which were still un-electrified . Over 40% of the country’s population
currently does not have energy access .India as a country still depends heavily on imports of oil
and natural gas when it comes to meeting the daily energy needs. Using these sources of energy
is an economic burden to the government and at the same time they heavily contribute to the
pollution. To realize the dream of becoming a superpower by 2020 India needs to be self-
sufficient in its energy needs. Even though non-renewable sources of energy such as oil and gas
are cheaper to work with than renewable sources, Renewable sources have an advantage in terms
of the pollution they create, hence if we can work towards bringing down the cost of working
with these energy sources, we can kill two birds with a stone. Since India lies at the tropic of
cancer we get abundant sunshine to make full use of solar energy. Solar energy has become an
attractive source of renewable energy because of reduction in the cost of manufacturing of solar
panel these days.
With about 300 clear sunny days in a year, India’s theoretical solar power reception, just on its
land area is about 5000 trillion kWh/year . The daily average solar energy incident over India
varies from 4 to 7 kWh/m2 with about 2,300–3,200 sunshine hours per year, depending upon
location. This is far more than current total energy consumption. For example, even assuming
10% conversion efficiency for PV modules, it will still be thousand times greater than the likely
electricity demand in India by the year 2015.
Presently India fulfills around 10.9% of the total requirement with renewable sources of energy
while solar accounts for a total of 1% of the renewable energy generation . Currently we generate
18MW from Solar Sources but it is expected that 150-200 MW of solar power will be installed in
the country by December 2011 .These non-conventional sources of energy have the capability of
fulfilling the requirement without harming the environment. As of September 2010 the status of
Decentralized Energy Systems is as follows .
• Family Type Biogas Plants 4.27 million
• SPV Home Lighting System 6,19,428
• Solar Lantern 8,13,380
• SPV Street Lighting System 1,21,227
• SPV Pumps 7,495
• Solar Water Heating Collector Area 3.77 mln. sq.m
SPV: Solar Photovoltaic

Considering India as a large country these numbers are miniscule. The present government has
taken some steps to utilize the solar energy. A solar mission named “Jawaharlal Nehru National
Solar Mission” was launched in January 2010, which promises to generate 1,000MW by 2013
and by 2022 generate 20GW, to deploy 20 million solar lighting systems and to achieve 20
million sq. meters solar thermal collector area. However a point to note is that India is currently
ranked number one with United States in terms of total solar power generation capacity. Experts
are recommending that India should adopt a policy to create solar energy as a backbone of its
economy by 2050.
Corporate houses like INDOSOLAR have started producing world-class solar panels with high
efficiencies ranging up to 17.2%. Indosolar is currently producing 160MWp and plans to
produce 260MWp by 2011. Non-Profit organizations like TERI (The Energy and Resource
Institute) have also come up with projects like LABL (lighting a billion lives) Campaign to
enhance access to clean energy and ease in creation of rural green jobs in association with The
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.
While the merits of installing solar equipment are large it suffers from a few drawbacks. The
efficiency of solar panels is still 15% of the sunlight energy received. The cost of production
ranges from Rs. 8 to Rs. 30 per unit compared to Rs. 5 to Rs. 8 per unit of conventional thermal
energy. We can store solar energy only using large batteries, which can be an environmental risk.
There has been a slow progress over the years and India has fallen short of achieving the desired
momentum. India is now 7th worldwide in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Cell production and 9th in
Solar Thermal Systems production with nations like Japan, China, and the US currently ranked
ahead of it.
To summarize we can see that some steps have been taken to tap the potential of solar energy but
still more effort needs to be put in. We need more private investments so that the initial costs of
the panels come down. We need the government to fund research projects to develop solar panel
with high-efficiency. Also common man needs to be made aware about the merits so that he is
convinced to use solar energy in his day-to-day life.

The above article with all the statistics was taken from The Solarity
(http://thesolarity.wordpress.com) and is widely believed to be true.

Other Statistics
[edit] Installed capacity
The amount of solar energy produced in India is merely 0.4% compared to other energy
resources.[6] The Grid-interactive solar power as of June 2007 was merely 2.12 MW.[7]
Government-funded solar energy in India only accounted for approximately 6.4 megawatt-years
of power as of 2005.[6] However, as of October 2009, India is currently ranked number one along
with the United States in terms of installed Solar Power generation capacity.[8]
• Number of solar street lighting systems: 55,795
• Number of home lighting systems: 342,607
• Solar lanterns: 560,295
• Solar photovoltaic power plants: 1566 kW
• Solar water heating systems: 140 km2 of collector area
• Box-type solar cookers: 575,000
• Solar photovoltaic pumps: 6,818
[edit] Still unaffordable
Solar power is currently prohibitive due to high initial costs of deployment. To spawn a thriving
solar market, the technology needs to be competitively cheaper — i.e. attaining cost parity with
fossil or nuclear energy. India is heavily dependent on coal and foreign oil — a phenomenon
likely to continue until non-fossil / renewable energy technology become economically viable in
the country.[9][10] The cost of production ranges from 15 to 30 per unit compared to around 5 to 8
per unit for conventional thermal energy.[11]
[edit] Solar engineering training
The Australian government has awarded UNSW A$5.2 million to train next-generation solar
energy engineers from Asia-Pacific nations, specifically India and China, as part of the Asia-
Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).[12] Certain programmes are
designed to target for rural solar usage development.[13]
[edit] Applications
[edit] Rural electrification
Lack of electricity infrastructure is one of the main hurdles in the development of rural India.
India's grid system is considerably under-developed, with major sections of its populace still
surviving off-grid. As of 2004 there are about 80,000 unelectrified villages in the country. Of
these villages, 18,000 could not be electrified through extension of the conventional grid. A
target for electrifying 5,000 such villages was fixed for the Tenth National Five Year Plan
(2002–2007). As on 2004, more than 2,700 villages and hamlets had been electrified mainly
using SPV systems.[4] Developments on cheap solar technology is considered as a potential
alternative that allows an electricity infrastructure comprising of a network of local-grid clusters
with distributed electricity generation.[6] That could allow bypassing, or at least relieving the
need of installing expensive, and lossy, long-distance centralised power delivery systems and yet
bring cheap electricity to the masses.3000 villages of Odisha will be lighted with Solar power by
2014,[14][15][16][17],.
[edit] Agricultural support
[edit] Water pumping
Solar PV water pumping systems are used for irrigation and drinking water. The majority of the
pumps are fitted with a 200–3,000 watt motor that are powered with 1,800 Wp PV array which
can deliver about 140,000 liters of water/day from a total head of 10 meters. By 30 September,
2006, a total of 7,068 solar PV water pumping systems have been installed.[18]
[edit] Cooling
Another e.g. is the cost of energy expended on temperature control — a factor squarely
influencing regional energy intensity. With cooling load demands being roughly in phase with
the sun's intensity, cooling from intense solar radiation could be an attractive energy-economic
option in the subcontinent.[19][20][21]
[edit] Solar water heaters
Bangalore has the largest deployment of rooftop solar water heaters in India that will generate
energy equivalent to 200 MW everyday and will be the country's first grid connected utility scale
project soon.[22]
Bangalore is also the first city in the country to put in place an incentive mechanism by
providing a rebate, which has just been increased to 50, on monthly electricity bills for residents
using roof-top thermal systems which are now mandatory for all new structures.
Pune, another city in the western part of India, has also recently made installation of solar water
heaters in new buildings mandatory.[23]
[edit] Challenges and constraints
[edit] Land scarcity
Per capita land availability is a scarce resource in India. Dedication of land area for exclusive
installation of solar cells might have to compete with other necessities that require land. The
amount of land required for utility-scale solar power plants — currently approximately 1 km² for
every 20–60 megawatts (MW) generated[6] — could pose a strain on India's available land
resource. The architecture more suitable for most of India would be a highly distributed,
individual rooftop power generation systems, all connected via a local grid.[6] However, erecting
such an infrastructure — which doesn't enjoy the economies of scale possible in mass utility-
scale solar panel deployment — needs the market price of solar technology deployment to
substantially decline so that it attracts the individual and average family size household
consumer. That might be possible in the future, since PV is projected to continue its current cost
reductions for the next decades and be able to compete with fossil fuel.[4]
[edit] Slow progress
While the world has progressed substantially in production of basic silicon mono-crystalline
photovoltaic cells, India has fallen short to achieve the worldwide momentum. India is now in
7th place worldwide in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Cell production and 9th place in Solar Thermal
Systems with nations like Japan,China, and the US currently ranked far ahead. Globally, solar is
the fastest growing source of energy (though from a very small base) with an annual average
growth of 35%, as seen during the past few years.[24]
[edit] Latent potential
Some noted think-tanks [4][25][26] recommend that India should adopt a policy of developing solar
power as a dominant component of the renewable energy mix, since being a densely populated
region [27] in the sunny tropical belt,[28][29] the subcontinent has the ideal combination of both high
solar insolation [28] and a big potential consumer base density.[4][30][31][32][33] In one of the analyzed
scenarios,[26] while reining on its long-term carbon emissions without compromising its economic
growth potential, India can make renewable resources like solar the backbone of its economy by
2050.
[edit] Government Support
The government of India is promoting the use of solar energy through various strategies. In the
latest budget for 2010-11, the government has announced an allocation of 10 billion (US$ 227
million) towards the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and the establishment of a Clean
Energy Fund. It's an increase of 3.8 billion (US$ 86.3 million) from the previous budget. Also
budget has also encouraged private solar companies by reducing customs duty on solar panels by
5 percent and exempting excise duty on solar photovoltaic panels. This is expected to reduce the
roof-top solar panel installation by 15- 20 percent. The budget also proposed a coal tax of USD 1
per metric ton on domestic and imported coal used for power generation. [34]. Additionally, the
government has also initiated Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) [35] scheme which is designed
to drive investment in low-carbon energy projects.
[edit] See also
• Electricity sector in India
• Renewable energy in India
• Wind power in India
• Headway Solar - Solar Energy Products and Solutions in India
[edit] Notes
1. ^ India to unveil 20GW solar target under climate plan, Reuters, Jul 28, 2009
2. ^ "India’s national solar plan under debate". Pv-tech.org. http://www.pv-
tech.org/news/_a/indias_national_solar_plan_under_debate/. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
3. ^ Nitin Sethi, TNN, Nov 18, 2009, 12.42am IST (2009-11-18). "1gw solar power in 2013".
Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-targets-1000mw-
solar-power-in-2013/articleshow/5240907.cms. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
4. ^ a b c d e f Sustainable production of solar electricity with particular reference to the Indian
economy (publication archived in ScienceDirect, shows numbers in detail, but needs
subscription / access via university)
5. ^ "(look for heading: Solar Photovoltaics)". Renewing India.
http://www.renewingindia.org/finren.html. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
6. ^ a b c d e "India'S Solar Power Greening India'S Future Energy Demand". Ecoworld.com. 2007-
05-15. http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/articles2.cfm?tid=418. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
7. ^ Estimated medium-term (2032) potential and cumulative achievements on Renewable energy as
on 30-06.2007[dead link]
8. ^ Chittaranjan Tembhekar. "India tops with US in solar power". Economic Times.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/India-tops-with-US-
in-solar-power/articleshow/5161932.cms.
9. ^ India's energy needs Lowy Institute (PDF)
10.^ "India’s Solar Dream". Off-grid.net. 2007-05-16. http://www.off-grid.net/2007/05/16/india
%E2%80%99s-solar-dream/. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
11.^ "India fast emerging as a solar hub". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 2007-09-10.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/India_fast_emergi
ng_as_a_solar_hub/articleshow/2353788.cms. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
12.^ Australia to train solar engineers from developing countries[dead link]
13.^ Barefoot college solar programme[dead link]
14.^ "Solar power in 3,000 Orissa villages by 2014 [newkerala.com, The Netherlands, 84794]".
Newkerala.com. http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-84794.html. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
15.^ "The Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) was constituted as a State
Nodal agency in the 1984". Oredaorissa.com. http://www.oredaorissa.com/admin.htm. Retrieved
2010-11-27.
16.^ by panchabhutha. "orissa « Panchabuta – Cleantech & Renewable Energy in India".
Panchabuta.wordpress.com. http://panchabuta.wordpress.com/tag/orissa/. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
17.^ "The Energy Business – India Energy News, Nuclear Energy News, Renewable Energy News,
Oil & Gas Sector News, Power Sector News » Orissa approves nine solar power projects".
Energybusiness.in. http://energybusiness.in/orissa-approves-nine-solar-power-projects/. Retrieved
2010-11-27.
18.^ "Solar chilli drier". Informaworld.com. 2005-09-01.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a723775318~db=all. Retrieved 2010-11-
27.
19.^ Solar Cooling German report
20.^ Paper presented at International Conference on Solar Air Conditioning, Germany (PDF)
21.^ Solar Cooling - Case Studies[dead link]
22.^ "Solar Water Heater". Dnaindia.com. 2009-11-28.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_live-life-off-the-grid-or-tap-the-sunshine-in-your-
backyard_1317492. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
23.^ Dipannita Das, TNN, Nov 29, 2009, 04.34am IST (2009-11-29). "More homes opt for solar
energy". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/More-
homes-opt-for-solar-energy/articleshow/5280270.cms. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
24.^ Solar India 2007[dead link]
 25.^ Press release - April 13, 2007 (2007-04-13). "Energy (R)evolution: A sustainable Energy
Outlook for India". Greenpeace.org. http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/releases/greenpeace-
proposes-a-sustaina. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
26.^ a b Press release - April 9, 2007 (2007-04-09). "Greenpeace announces comprehensive energy
strategy for India to tackle Climate Change without compromising economic development".
Greenpeace.org. http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/releases/greenpeace-announces-
comprehen. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
27.^ "NASA population density map". Visibleearth.nasa.gov.
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=116. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
28.^ a b "Energy-Atlas Solar radiation".
http://www.meteonorm.com/media/maps_online/world_beam_8100_1.png. Retrieved 2010-11-
27.
29.^ "Regional and World Energy-Maps of Solar radiation". Meteonorm.com.
http://www.meteonorm.com/pages/en/downloads/maps.php. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
30.^ "Solar LEDs Brighten Rural India's Future". Treehugger.com.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/solar_leds_brig.php. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
31.^ Dutt, Ram (2004-09-05). "Solar plan for Indian computers". BBC News.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3623864.stm. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
32.^ "Barefoot solar engineers". Worldchanging.com. 1999-02-22.
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/000954.html. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
33.^ "Solar powered rickshaw". Speedace.info.
http://www.speedace.info/solar_powered_rickshaw.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
34.^ SolaRishi[dead link]
35.^ http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fmnre.gov.in%2Fpdf
%2FMNRE_REC_Report.pdf&ei=DWXSTMP9Fsarcc3DmP0L&usg=AFQjCNHqN5rAgbh-
SJ8Parv1iOTih_fu6A
link Solar Water Heater - Solar Collector - Solar Hot Water Heating - China - Manufacturers
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[edit] External links

• Headway Solar - Solar Energy Products and Solutions in India
• A guide towards investing in solar energy in India
• Ashden Awards solar PV projects in India
• Indian Solar Power Industry- News and Analysis
• India Solar Energy
• India´s "New Solar Mission" opens doors for fast development for the Concentrated Solar
Thermal industry worldwide.
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