India’s solar power revolution started with the launch of the National Solar Mission in 2010 that targeted adding 20 GW by 2022. The objective of containing global warming, as reflected in the Paris Agreement, requires India to be a global leader of renewable energy, as the third largest emitter of CO2. India was one of the first countries to have a dedicated ministry for renewable energy. In 2014, even before the Paris climate agreement, the government increased the solar energy capacity target by almost five times to 100 gigawatt (GW) by 2022.
With its current momentum and an enabling policy environment, India is strategically positioned to achieve its solar-related goals. The International Solar Alliance is an ambitious solar diplomacy project that brings together around 121 solar energy-rich countries with the agenda of ensuring affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. These countries intend to collaborate on increasing the use of solar energy and mobilize $1 trillion in investments by 2030.
In the past two years, India has increased the overall share of renewables in its energy mix and is committed to raise this installed capacity from 18% to 40% by 2030. India’s commitment to solar power as a sustainable source of energy reflects innovative solutions and energy efficiency initiatives to supply 24*7 electricity to people by 2030. Given its solar belt, India is at the forefront of the transformation of world energy markets towards profitable renewable energy sources. It has sought creative solutions in hosting solar panels by installing rooftop solar panels and floating solar platforms.
Solar is suited to addressing the issues of cost, access, air quality and security in the energy sector and has the potential for economic and environmental transformation. The progress of renewable energy in India is driven by governmental support, targets and economics rather than a consumer push towards being green and curbing the long-term impact of a largely invisible climate change. Stakeholders have been gearing to address this challenge through increased awareness and improved solutions.
Today, the available solar systems can easily solve basic energy needs to a large extent, especially in rural areas, but there is a lack of awareness about India’s solar potential coupled with high capital costs. The main challenge of unpredictability and intermittency can be solved via improvements in storage technology. India’s current system of kerosene subsidies impacts the distribution of off-grid solar lighting solutions. The purchase of solar appliances, unlike kerosene, is not spread over time and hence, poor households face affordability issues. Thus, off-grid solar penetration must be enhanced by transitioning from kerosene to solar lighting.
Solar energy installations have been present in India for over two decades but earlier, technical innovation was not focused upon. However, this is changing as researchers across institutions are developing ways of improving efficiencies and finding new solar applications. Solar technologies like anti-soiling coatings and backsheets for PV solar glass can help optimize production in solar farms by maximizing returns in terms of longer optimum performance, more energy output, cost-effective maintenance of solar farms and recycling processes.
Today, India is amongst the top three PV markets in the world. Large-scale PV deployment has taken place only recently so major end-of-life PV waste volumes in India may not be expected until after 2030. However, sustainable growth of photovoltaics can play an increasing role in the decarbonization of the power mix. These must remain green in both the production and end-of-life management stage.
The development of renewable energy solutions and durable product innovations demand strategic collaborations that promote clean technologies and responsible production and consumption, based on reducing adverse environmental impacts by eliminating toxic materials. Technology can play a critical role in achieving future renewable energy balance.As the future of renewable energy, the solar sector must be made environmentally and financially viable in the long run. The underlying rationale must be to make solar energy clean. Thus, issues related to recycling processes in solar need to be urgently addressed via a strong policy-based approach in order to avoid harmful future implications.
With a projected capacity addition of 8.8 GW (5% of global solar capacity), India emerged as the world’s third biggest solar market in 2017, after China and the US.With falling prices and increasing efficiencies of solar panels, solar power can become more attractive than competing power sources. Thus, there is a need to efficiently and cost effectively convert this capacity efficiently into robust energy supply.Otherwise, the uncertainties in the renewable space could prompt India to rethink its energy mix and climate action commitments rather than shape the global response to climate change.
Aditi Rukhaiyar
November 26, 2018
source https://indiaoutbound.org/indias-solar-power-revolution/
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