The Government of India has set the target to expand India’s renewable energy installed capacity to 500 GW by 2030 (60% from solar power), which could significantly increase solar equipment imports to $30 billion annually, primarily from China.
Benefits of Solar Energy
- Renewable & Clean: Solar energy is infinite and emits no pollution.
- Cost-effective: Decreasing costs make solar energy affordable.
- Reliable: Solar systems are durable with minimal maintenance.
- Versatile: Used for electricity, heating, and lighting.
- Decentralized: Enables local energy generation, reducing reliance on central grids.
Challenges of Solar Energy in India
- High Initial Costs: Installation remains expensive despite falling technology costs.
- Dependency on China: China controls 97% of India’s solar supply chain, including cells and polysilicon production.
- Limited Finance Access: Difficult for small or rural projects to secure funds.
- Infrastructure Issues: Poor grid connectivity hampers efficient energy transmission.
- Land Availability: Competes with agriculture and urban needs for space.
- Maintenance: Cleaning solar panels uses large amounts of water or labor-intensive methods. MIT researchers are developing a waterless cleaning solution.
Government Initiatives
- Solar Park Scheme: Large solar parks across states (500 MW each).
- Rooftop Solar Scheme: Promotes residential rooftop installations.
- National Solar Mission: Aims for sustainable growth and energy security.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme: aim to boost local solar manufacturing
- SRISTI Scheme: Encourages rooftop solar adoption.
- International Solar Alliance: Global platform for solar tech deployment.
- PM-KUSUM: Supports off-grid solar pumps in rural areas.
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: to provide up to 40% subsidy for household rooftop solar installations, aiming to offer free electricity.
Solar energy offers a sustainable, clean, and cost-effective solution for India’s growing energy demands. While challenges such as high initial costs, dependency on China, and infrastructure limitations remain, government initiatives like the Solar Park Scheme, National Solar Mission, and various financial support schemes are working to overcome these barriers. By continuing to invest in both technology and local manufacturing, India can reduce its reliance on imports and accelerate its transition to a greener, energy-secure future.
