Solar Power Generation in India
Current Energy Status in India:
India is both densely populated and has high solar insolation, providing an ideal combination for solar power in India. India is already a leader in wind power generation (Wind power in India) and, Suzlon Energy is one of the India-based pioneering industries in world to generate non-conventional energy. In solar energy sector, some large projects have been proposed, and a 35,000 km² area of the Thar Desert has been set aside for solar power projects, sufficient to generate 700 to 2,100 gigawatts.
In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan, to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020.[1] Under the plan, solar-powered equipment and applications would be mandatory in all government buildings including hospitals and hotels.[2] On November 18, 2009, it was reported that India was ready to launch its National Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, with plans to generate 1,000 MW of power by 2013.[3]
Installed capacity
The amount of solar energy produced in India is merely 0.4% compared to other energy resources.[6] The Grid-interactive solar power as of June 2007 was merely 2.12 MW.[7] Government-funded solar energy in India only accounted for approximately 6.4 megawatt-years of power as of 2005.[6] However, as of October 2009, India is currently ranked number one along with the United States in terms of installed Solar Power generation capacity.[8]
• Number of solar street lighting systems: 55,795
• Number of home lighting systems: 342,607
• Solar lanterns: 560,295
• Solar photovoltaic power plants: 1566 kW
• Solar water heating systems: 140 km2 of collector area
• Box-type solar cookers: 575,000
• Solar photovoltaic pumps: 6,818
Still unaffordable
Solar power is currently prohibitive due to high initial costs of deployment. To spawn a thriving solar market, the technology needs to be competitively cheaper — i.e. attaining cost parity with fossil or nuclear energy. India is heavily
India is both densely populated and has high solar insolation, providing an ideal combination for solar power in India. India is already a leader in wind power generation (Wind power in India) and, Suzlon Energy is one of the India-based pioneering industries in world to generate non-conventional energy. In solar energy sector, some large projects have been proposed, and a 35,000 km² area of the Thar Desert has been set aside for solar power projects, sufficient to generate 700 to 2,100 gigawatts.
In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan, to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020.[1] Under the plan, solar-powered equipment and applications would be mandatory in all government buildings including hospitals and hotels.[2] On November 18, 2009, it was reported that India was ready to launch its National Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, with plans to generate 1,000 MW of power by 2013.[3]
Installed capacity
The amount of solar energy produced in India is merely 0.4% compared to other energy resources.[6] The Grid-interactive solar power as of June 2007 was merely 2.12 MW.[7] Government-funded solar energy in India only accounted for approximately 6.4 megawatt-years of power as of 2005.[6] However, as of October 2009, India is currently ranked number one along with the United States in terms of installed Solar Power generation capacity.[8]
• Number of solar street lighting systems: 55,795
• Number of home lighting systems: 342,607
• Solar lanterns: 560,295
• Solar photovoltaic power plants: 1566 kW
• Solar water heating systems: 140 km2 of collector area
• Box-type solar cookers: 575,000
• Solar photovoltaic pumps: 6,818
Still unaffordable
Solar power is currently prohibitive due to high initial costs of deployment. To spawn a thriving solar market, the technology needs to be competitively cheaper — i.e. attaining cost parity with fossil or nuclear energy. India is heavily