Solar Plants as Vehicles of growth

Our country faces the challenge of sustaining the growth of our economy and tackles the worldwide threat of climate change. In the race of economic development world over the environment and the related issues, suffer neglect. Countries need to look for solutions that aid the economic and are environment friendly too.  The fast depleting conventional sources of power generation is a serious cause of concern. All over there is an increasing emphasis on renewable sources of power, solar energy being the primary among all the renewable alternatives. Solar plants in India are therefore a necessity if the country wishes to continue its economic growth trajectory.

Our growing economy with over one billion people faces a daunting task of meeting the huge power demand. Although India stands at the fifth position in the world in the production and consumption of power, still the electricity generated outstrips the demand. The power generation in India reflects an increase on yearly basis, but the increasing population, urbanization, and industrialization hikes the electricity requirement even more.  India’s power production is majorly based on coal that is nearly 54% of the total power produced. It is projected that the country’s coal reserve will not last long and will be depleted by 2040-50. Such an emerging scenario demands for increased focus on solar plants in India.

With approximately 67% of the total population living in rural areas, where half of the population remains without electricity, it is high time that the country started focusing on energy efficiency, conservation and look for the options of renewable sources of power generation.  To meet these demand solar plants in India are the best option to meet out the energy needs of the country. It is best suited to bridge the demand-supply gap that India faces today.

India has a great scope of generating solar power, primarily due to the geographical location. We have a tropical climate and receive solar radiation almost throughout the year. It is equivalent to 2800 to 3000 hours of sunshine in a calendar year.  This is huge as it amounts to approximately 5000 trillion kWh of solar power on paper. There are states like Bihar, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal, which offer greater potential for Solar Plants in India.

By tapping this energy, the country can fulfill the energy requirements of the industries and the residential areas of the country. It can be helpful in meeting the electricity requirements of rural India, which is still deprived from the regular power supply.