In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Introduction to Solar Power in India 2. Present Status of Solar Power in India 3. Research and Development Programmes 4. Challenges and Constraints.
Introduction to Solar Power in India:
As on 2010, India power sector has a total installed capacity of around 167,000 MW of which 54% is coal-based, 25% hydro, 8% is renewable and the balance is the nuclear and gas-based. Power shortages are estimated about 11% of total energy and 15% of peak capacity requirements and likely to increase in the coming years. Today the contribution of solar power with an installed capacity of 9.84 MW is a fraction (<0.1 %) of the total renewable energy installed.
Solar power generation has lagged behind other sources like wind, small hydropower, biomass etc. But now realizing the potential of solar energy, Prime Minister of India unveiled a National Climate Change Action Plan in June 2008. The plan will be implemented through eight missions with main focus on solar energy in the total energy mix of the country.
Development of alternate energy has been part of India’s strategy for expanding energy supply and meeting decentralized requirements of the rural sector. The strategy is administrated through India’s Ministry of New Renewable Energy (MNRE), Energy development agencies in various states and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA).
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Involvements of various players in the energy sector are such as local industries. The private construction and operation contactors, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), MNRE and others has helped in increasing the capacity and capability of local technical expertise and further sustain the development of power in India in the longer term.
Solar industry in India gained momentum with the contribution of private organizations. Many Indian companies have planned major investments in this sector. The government has approved the projects of Chandradeep solar (for an R&D unit), Neotech Solutions, Photon Energy Systems, Surana Ventures and Ram Terra Solar Pvt Ltd., Tata Power and BP solar joint venture had been the leading Solar Photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers for the last many years.
Moser Baer India Ltd. has entered the solar sector in a big way with both crystalline silicon cell technology and thin-film technology. Khandelwal Solar Power Ltd. (KSPL), Reliance Industries, Titan Energy Systems, Nano Tech Silicon India and XL Telecom & Energy also proposed to invest in the solar industry.
Present Status of Solar Power in India:
As a result of efforts made during the last quarter century, a number of devices like solar water heaters, solar cookers, solar lanterns, solar street lights, and solar water pumps have been developed and have become commercially viable. India has started wide solar photovoltaic program for about 2 decades and has installed an aggregate of 1.3 million systems. However, now the focus of the 11th Five Year Plan is on the grid connected power generation. India’s integrated rural energy program using solar energy had served 300 districts and about 2,300 villages.
Research and Development Programmes of Solar Power in India:
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The Research and Development (R&D) programmes in the Solar PV technology have been aimed at development of materials employed in fabrication of solar cells and modules, different types of solar cell device structures, module designs, components, subsystems and systems, with a view to reduce the cost and improve the overall efficiency at different stages.
The ministry has been sponsoring research and development projects on different aspects of the PV technology in academic and research institutions, national laboratories, IITs and industry, for development of new materials, processes, systems and production and testing equipment for solar cells and modules and electronics used in the PV systems. Numbers of R&D projects are going on solar PV program in India.
Challenges and Constraints of Solar Power in India:
1. High Capital Cost:
The hunt for better, cheaper cells is due in India. Despite the fact that the price of solar PV technology has been coming down over the years, it still remains economically unviable for power generation purposes. The average cost of solar PV modules was about Rs. 2 lakhs/kW.
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However, the estimated unit cost of generation of electrical energy from solar PV and solar thermal route is in the range of Rs. 12- 20 per kWh and Rs. 10-15 per kWh respectively in India. With present level of technology, solar electrical energy produced through the PV conversion route is 4-5 times costlier than the electrical energy obtained from conventional fossil fuels.
2. Manufacturing Process:
Solar PV cell manufacturing technology is an intensive process that needs high expertise and know-how. Besides, the technology landscape in the solar industry PV space is changing quite rapidly with innovations and research and development. It is challenging for new entrants to replicate the success of companies having a long standing in the solar PV market.
Raw Material and Waste Products:
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Some of the raw materials, such as cadmium, used for producing solar PV cells are hazardous and other raw materials like plastics used for the packaging of the cells are non-biodegradable, thereby having impacts on environments. Although some of the wastage produced during the manufacturing process is recyclable (silicon), not all other materials are recyclable and disposal of the same is a challenging process.
3. Environment Costs:
Another concern area is installation of solar cells on the land area. The huge area of land required for utility-scale solar power plants-around one square kilometre for every 20-60 MW generated-poses an additional problem in India. Instead, solar energy in particular requires unique, massive applications in the agricultural sector, where farmers require electrical energy exclusive in the daytime. This could be the primary demand driver for solar energy in India.
In the very near future, breakthroughs in nano technologies promise significant increase in solar cell efficiencies from current 15% values to over 50% levels. These would in turn reduce the cost of solar energy production. However, capital costs have substantially declined over the past two decades, with solar PV costs declining by a factor of two. PV is projected to continue its current rapid cost reductions for the next decades to compete with fossil fuel. However, the realization of cost reductions is naturally closely linked to market development, government policies and support for research and development.