India faces a variety of challenges related to energy and the environment. Fuel depletion and climate change have driven us to an energy crisis. There is an urgency for fulfilling the ever-growing need for energy. This has called for the power of the Sun! Solar power is the energy that comes from the sun as light and heat and converted into electricity through solar panels. Switching to solar energy is of great help to our environment as no greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere during its production or consumption. Conventional electricity generation is not only expensive but also responsible for a majority of the CO2 emissions due to the combustion of fossil fuels. The pollution caused by coal combustion is the key factor behind a variety of respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular diseases. Replacing conventional energy with solar energy cuts down the usage of fossil fuels and the resulting carbon emissions. Solar energy is also cost efficient because once the solar panels are installed the operational costs are low when compared to conventional forms of energy.
India is blessed with one of the highest solar resources in the world. As India has 300 sunny days in a year on an average, a solar plant can generate power close to its maximum capacity. In order to meet the rapidly increasing demand for electricity in the commercial and domestic sectors alike, India has set a target of 1,00,000 MW solar power capacity by 2022. To achieve this target, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) – government of India has provided several benefits like capital subsidies, accelerated depreciation and tax holidays for the revenue generated from renewable energy projects. The central and state governments are coming up with various schemes to achieve this target.
On Site Solar, i.e. solar panels installed on the rooftop or within the consumer’s premises provides an answer to India’s challenge for providing electricity to the entire population. On site solar is the most viable option as it offers customized solar power solutions in line with the customer’s requirement. It can also be synchronized with a solar inverter for uninterrupted power supply. A typical solar power plant lasts for more than 20 years offering substantial cost benefits over its lifetime. India is on its way to improve its industrial and economic well-being through structural reforms to meet the set target of 2022.