Scientist says rooftop solar panels can help in energy sufficiency
A solar scientist has come up with an innovative measure to ensure energy independence in India. He says if households adopt rooftop solar power generation, India can achieve energy independence by 2050.
Dr Shantipada Gon Chaudhuri, a well known renewable energy consultant says the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is in the process of framing a policy that promotes solar power generation from rooftops and backyards of homes. The energy thus generated would help the households meet their energy needs and the excess energy, if any, can be sold to the power suppliers at a stipulated rate.
Dr Chaudhuri, who is also involved in the drafting of the rooftop solar power generation policy, said it will be ready within a year. The policy will promote solar power generation among households as well as government, non-government and private institutions using their rooftops, water bodies and unoccupied lands.
Dr Chaudhuri says the proposed policy will help India in achieving its goal of energy indepedence. He pointed out that states like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka and Delhi have already started work on such an initiative. The government has accorded in-principle approval for setting up Solar Parks in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Telangana.
The MNRE has revised its target of renewable energy capacity to 175,000 MW by 2022, comprising 100,000 MW solar, 60,000 MW wind, 10,000 MW biomass and 5,000 MW small hydro.
India’s total installed capacity of electricity (from coal, gas, nuclear, hydro and renewable) is 260,000 MW, including 31,700 MW from non-conventional sources.
According to an official document, India is still more than 35 percent deficit in energy. The total demand for electricity in India is expected to cross 950,000 MW by 2030. Dr Chaudhuri says that without energy freedom and security, India cannot achieve growth.
Dr Chaudhuri however, cautions that we cannot switch to non-conentional energy generation means overnight, nor can renewable energy completely replace renewable energy. He says to be energy self-sufficient, India must try a mix of both, renewable and non-renewable energy.
