The rise in demand for solar solutions in India can be attributed to the growing population leading to an increased need for electricity. Other factors, such as economic progress and rising urbanisation, have also contributed to higher power requirements.
With energy consumption doubling since 2000 and continuously growing, it has become essential for the country to embrace renewable energy.
Three fuels provide more than 80% of India’s energy needs: coal, oil, and solid biomass. Coal has helped the growth of power generation and industry, and it remains an essential single fuel in the energy mix. The use of oil and imports has increased significantly as car ownership has increased. Although biomass, mainly fuelwood, is a reducing component of the energy mix, it is still commonly utilised as a cooking fuel. Despite recent achievements in boosting LPG in rural areas, millions of Indians are yet to transition to contemporary, clean cooking fuels or technology.
Efforts to harness solar energy
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), or the National Solar Mission, was launched on 11th January 2010 to promote solar solutions in India. The JNNSM is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC–2008). It originally targeted 20 GW by 2022, which was surpassed in 2018.
As per REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report, India stands 4th globally in solar power capacity. It has adopted several schemes and plans to increase solar power energy production in India. One of these includes – the Solar Parks Scheme: A strategy for “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects” is being implemented to promote large-scale grid-connected solar power projects, with a goal capacity of 40 GW capacity by March 2024. As of October 31, 2022, 56 Solar Parks with a total capacity of 39.28 GW have been approved in 14 states. Solar power installations with a total capacity of more than 10 GW have already been commissioned in 17 parks, with the other parks in different stages of completion. Solar projects with a total capacity of 832 MW were completed in different Solar Parks from January to October 2022.
The government of India lays down several other schemes and plans to help boost solar solutions and increase the use of renewable energy. Some of these include:
- Government Yojana: Solar Energy Subsidy Scheme
- UDAY or Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojna
- SECI Scheme
- Rooftop Scheme
Recent updates in solar installations
As of 30th Nov 2021, a total of 5.7 GW solar rooftop projects were set up in the country. The year also saw an increase in solar street lights with over 1.45 installations. As per the report by State Nodal agencies (SNAs), 9.03 lakh solar study lamps were distributed, and 2.5 MW solar power packs were set up by the end of 2021.
Among all global economies, India has had the highest rate of development in renewable energy capacity addition during the previous 7.5 years, with solar energy growing more than 18 times.
As of 30th November, 2022, the Solar power installed capacity has reached around 61.97 GW.
India has been tirelessly working towards installing more solar solutions to harness the sun’s power and reduce environmental impact.
Nimbus Solar Solutions: Improving the solar energy sector
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