Expanding Solar Power Capacity

Why in news?

The clearance was given by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for a plan to double the capacity of solar power installed in dedicated solar parks to 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2020.

What is the National Solar Mission?

• The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched in 2010 and has set the ambitious target of deploying 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022.
• In 2014, the government revised the mission and has increased the target from 20,000 MW to 1,00,000 MW i.e., 100 GW.
• The above capacity is proposed to be achieved via deployment of 40,000 MW of Rooftop Solar Projects and 60,000 MW of Large and Medium Scale Solar Projects.
• So, the clearance given by CCEA is in line with the goal of creating a base of 100 GW by 2022.

What are the advantages of expansion of solar power?

• It is among the most efficient means to meet the commitment under the Paris Agreement on climate change, i.e., to keep carbon emissions in check.
• It can create additional employment with economic dividends.
• Recent report suggests jobs in solar energy have witnessed the fastest growth since 2011.
• Asia has harnessed the potential the most by providing 60% of all renewable energy employment.

What the government should do?

• India should also take a look at manufacturing of photovoltaics.
• It should open training facilities to produce the human resources the industry will need in future.
• Low-cost financing channels can quickly augment the solar generating capacity.
• Electricity regulators should fix tariffs taking into account the reduction in the levelised cost of electricity.
• Other funding options like green bonds are also be necessary.
• Without realistic purchase prices i,e the price an investor pays for an investment, curtailment of renewable power sources happen because of some non-technical considerations. It directly affect investments.
• Tamil Nadu, the largest producer of solar energy in the country, resorted to curtailments last year that has muted interest in the industry itself.
• Besides promoting phase two of the solar parks plan, and powering public facilities using solar power, the Centre should make it easier for citizens and small business to adopt rooftop solar.
• This is crucial for achieving the goal of 100 GW, and also to raise the share of renewables in the total energy mix to 40% in the next decade.

Source: The Hindu