Executive summary:-
India, the world’s second-most populous country, is facing a looming energy crisis. Soaring oil prices, and continued dependence on a few countries for oil, has led to the use of renewable energy sources to secure energy. Given that this is a tropical country rich in sunlight, solar energy offers the most practicable solution to overcoming growing energy demand. The daily average solar energy incident over India varies from 4-7 kWh per square meter, depending upon the location.
Maximum costs of implementing environment-friendly technologies in 2030 would be less than three per cent of the GDP in that year. This means the rise in prosperity of the world to a particular level will be postponed by a few months. The vast resource of solar energy at its disposal, India can play a leading role in the arena of new and clean technology."Large parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat which are non-cultivable can become reservoirs of solar energy. Moreover, if we join hands with our neighbour, Pakistan, the entire desert area in Sind and large tracts of Baluchistan can be jointly used as bases of developing solar energy. Indian government is providing the subsidy up to the 85% to boosting the concept.
Overview: -.
Currently the solar energy market is very small in India but it is 4th fastest growing solar energy market in the world. The solar energy market did not get any boost from the government policies. But now when we know that we do not have conventional energy reservoir for long time then we are searching for alternatives to sustain the life in the planet. Currently it is not in the list of top 10 solar energy generator in the world but the current growth rate in the solar energy market is 20%. With the current growth rate, India can be a 4th largest country in the world after Germany, Japan and China. According to statistics available with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India receives solar energy equivalent of over 5,000 trillion kWh per year. The daily average solar energy incident over India varies from 4-7 kWh per square metres, depending upon the location. For now, solar energy systems are mainly being used for standalone applications such as lighting, telecommunication, small power requirements, battery charging, and water heating and cooking.
So far, around 1.4 million solar photovoltaic systems aggregating to about 110 MW peak solar photovoltaic module capacities have been installed in the country.
In addition about 600,000 solar cookers and 2 million square metres of collector area has been installed for solar water heating applications that is equivalent to about 1,400 MW of thermal capacity. According to statistics available with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India receives solar energy equivalent of over 5,000 trillion kWh per year.
Future growth and demand:-
It is sad state of affairs that human population is growing at an alarming rate of about
30 million people per year. We require energy for heating, light, food, transport, etc. With the increase in demand for energy, our natural resources are diminishing day by day. We have to search some new sources which could provide us free energy. A number of sources/resources/models have been presented; some of these appear to be promising at research levels but on industrial levels or consumer levels they are not successful either due to high cost or some harmful environmental impact. However, some novel energy production methods include cold fusion; antigravity, vacuum energy and magnetic energy are successful.
Indian geothermal provinces have the capacity to produce 10,600 MW of power- a figure which is five time greater than the combined power being produced from non-conventional energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass. But yet, geothermal power projects have not seen the sunlight due the availability of 192 billion tones of recoverable coal reserves. With escalating environmental problems with coal based projects, Indian has to depend on clean, cheap, rural based and eco-friendly geothermal power in future
The estimated power shortage in India in the next five years is about 43,000 MW. This demand will increase in the coming years due to economic globalization. Though India boasts of generating eco-friendly energy sources during the coming millennium, the present power generated through non-conventional sources is far less than the installed capacity of the power plants (Table 1). Thus the total installed capacity from renewable stands at 1313 MW which is 2.6 % of the total potential. Though capital subsidy and financial incentives are given by the Govt. of India, non-conventional energy sources are not able to bridge the gap between demand and supply of power. Geothermal energy, a non-conventional energy source, has not so far put to use though its power generating capacity is of the order of 10,600 MW. Neither the Govt. bodies nor the independent power producers (IPPs) are aware of this vast resource in the country. When non-conventional energy sources have the potential of generating about 60,600 MW powers, which is more than the required amount for the next five years, then why Indian is not keen in developing this source in bridging supply-demand power gap? The answer lies in the 192 billion tones of recoverable coal reserves which is encouraging coal based power projects and hampering the healthy growth of non-conventional energy programs. In addition to coal, availability of naphtha in the world is adding fuel to the fire!
Table1. Power production status of non-conventional energy in India
Renewable Power Potential Achieved
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Wind Power 20,000 MW 1,000 MW
Small Hydro Power 10,000 MW 172 MW
Biomass 20,000 MW 141 MW
Solar photo- voltic Power 20 MW/sq.km 810 KW
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The focus on clean and green projects continues as a means to keep up the growth and also affect sustainability in the long run.
The Indian state of Haryana has announced that the two cities of Faridabad and
Gurgoan will be converted to green/solar cities in the next 5 years. This is part of a program by the Ministry of new and non-conventional energy which plans to transition 60 cities across India. The master plan for development will set a goal of minimum 10% reduction in the projected total demand of conventional energy at the end of five years, which can be achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and enhancing supply from renewable energy sources.
Problems with conventional and non-conventional power projects:
Though coal based and naphtha based power project are riding over other non-conventional energy sources, environmental problems associated with such mega-projects are many. India’s 67,000 MW of thermal power generating capacity constitutes about 70% of the country’s total power generation capacity. Due to oil shocks of 1970s, oil-fired power generation has come down to 15%. This has increased the dependence on coal based power projects due to 192 billion tones recoverable coal reserves available with India. Both oil-based and coal based power projects has similar environmental problems. Indian is already the sixth largest and second fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gases. Emissions of nitric oxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter is expected to treble in the next decade. The greatest unsolved problem with coal based power plants is the fly-ash. Indian coal has an ash content of 45 %. In contrast to most of the other (developed?) countries, which stopped promoting coal based thermal plants; these thermal power plants are thriving in India producing 75 million tons of fly-ash!! This production is expected to grow to 100 million tons in the next millennium. Only 3 % of this is being utilized! If all the bricks in the country were to be made of fly-ash, only 5% of 75 million tonnes will be put to use (Business World, 1998). These toxic emissions are ruining historical monuments, such as the Taj Mahal. Based on a public interest petition, Supreme Court has ordered to stop burning coal in and around Taj Mahal. Naphtha based power project, like that commissioned in Dhabol in Maharashtra and like that going to be commissioned in Karnataka in collaboration with American based ABB company, are going to be no better than coal based power projects as far as protecting the environment is concerned!!
Besides this, due to other problems related to transmission and distribution of power, whose losses estimated to be about 23 %, power generation has fallen short by 53%. To solve these problems, M/s Energy Line Systems of Alameda, California, a subsidiary of S&C Electric Company, Chicago, in collaboration with the Karnataka Electricity Board will conduct a pilot project in Karnataka to provide affordable, reliable and efficient energy supplies and services (Economic Times, 8 June 1999).
. What are the opportunities to develop geothermal energy resources?
Of late, IPPs involved in non-conventional energy sources, are showing keen interest in Geothermal energy resources, thanks to the awareness brought by those organizations working in this field such as the IITs ( Chandrasekharam, 1995) and the GSI. One-time investment and low maintenance cost, low area requirement, and incentives given by the Govt. for non-conventional energy sector is attracting many IPPs in India. Even IPPs who are involved in solar Photovoltaic and solar thermal power business are frantically exploring partners to finance geothermal projects. For example, M/s Avin Energy Systems, who are involved in solar Photovoltaic and solar thermal prewar projects, are keen to develop geothermal projects in Gujarat and expand their activities to other states as well. Since all the thermal provinces are located in rural areas with excellent communication system, power projects as well geothermal based industries are going to reduce congestion in Urban areas and improve socio-economic status of the rural public.
Solar energy is generated by nuclear fusion, occurring in the center of the sun. There are three main ways to use sun’s energy (1) solar cells, (2) solar water heating and (3) solar furnaces.
Solar energy is spreading its wings day by day as it finds various applications and uses. Besides solar cookers, oven and solar engines to pump irrigation water are already in use. Solar horizontal axis submersible piston pumps, solar still, purification of water, heating swimming pools, solar wall are some other common examples where solar energy is being used.
Solar wall
Solar still
Solar ponds
Mapping of solar industry in India:-
The solar energy or renewal energy industry is not so organised. It is in growing stage. But the according to ministry of new and renewal energy and department of non-conventional energy, the manufactures of solar energy equipment or service provider are:-
1. Solar water heating system-
1. M/S SuryajyotiDevices India (P) ltd.,
E-3 Lajpat Nagar-II, New Delhi
Phone –011-26834129/26834822
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2. M/S Inter Solar Systems(p) Ltd.,
901 Indl. Area, Phase-II, Chandigarh
Phone-0172-2655349
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3. M/s Surya Shakti ,
139, Industrial Area, Phase-II, Chandigarh
Phone-0172-2792699/2792576
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4. M/s. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.,
Rudrapu, Distt. Udham singh Nagar
(Uttaranchal)
Phone- 05944-242221
(Chd. Office 0172-2704160)
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New Market for Solar energy:-
In a tropical country like India, the importance of refrigeration can hardly be overemphasized.
Around 70% of India’s population is engaged in agriculture and the contribution of agricultural output amounts to 40% of the national income. The country is producing in excess of 60 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables per annum. While India’s agricultural production base is quite strong, at the same time wastage of agricultural produce is massive. It is estimated that due to lack of proper storage and transit facilities, about 33% of the agricultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables, is spoiled. The wastage in fruits and vegetables is estimated to be about Rs 330 billion (US $7.3 billion). India and other developing countries, which are predominantly agriculture-based economies, have a tremendous growth potential with respect to rural-based food processing. However, poor infrastructure including lack of integrated cooling facilities (that is, cold chains) has retarded the growth of the food processing industry. The Ministry of Food Processing in India has identified refrigeration and cold storages as the weakest link in the whole cold chain.
Specific target applications of the technology are: (i) Solar-biomass cooling for remote rural villages; targeting food preservation in developing countries such as India, and (ii) Solar cooling for urban homes; targeting residential air conditioning in Australia and India.
The availability of abundant solar energy enables organisations to meet the energy challenge and provides an opportunity to offer new and cost effective solutions. In the solar photovoltaic sector, the photon chasing has moved from expensive silicon wafers (owing to paucity of polysilicon worldwide), to the growth of technologies such as thin film-based high concentration photovoltaics, concentrating solar power (CSP) and nano solar.
The race is on to significantly cut back on material use, find alternative materials, reduce costs and increase conversion efficiency. This is possible with the emergence of new generation technologies, innovative manufacturing techniques and increasing volumes.
The cost of electricity generation from CSP is expected to drop to US$ 0.05-0.07 per kWh by 2020.
For solar thermal, the global installed collector capacity was a robust 111 GW at the end of 2005. Almost half of this capacity is installed in China, followed by Germany, Japan, Turkey and USA.
New government plan for boosting the demand:-
SPV PROGRAMME DURING 2009-10
The Programme will provide Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to Implementing Agencies for deployment of SPV systems and related activities. Specific decentralized systems/ applications supported under the programme include, interalia, SPV Home lighting systems, Street lighting systems, Traffic signals, Blinkers, Illuminated hoardings/ Display boards, Power packs and Power plants to meet electricity and lighting needs of individuals in rural areas, communities, villages, urban areas, commercial complexes, institutions, industry, etc. This apart, the programme covers SPV Rooftop systems with or without grid interaction. Deployment of small capacity systems will be considered in project mode i.e. for focused deployment of systems in an area as well as for specific applications for maximum impact.
3.1 Decentralised SPV Systems:
(i) Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHLS): for indoor lighting and small electrical power needs of households in rural and other areas. Support would be provided for different models of the SHLS systems based on 18Wp, 37 Wp, 74Wp SPV modules.
(ii) Solar Street Lighting Systems (SLS): for illumination of streets/ open spaces in rural and urban areas. Support would be provided for SLS systems based on 74Wp SPV modules.
(iii) Traffic Signals: SPV powered traffic lights in urban areas with conventional power as standby arrangement would be provided support for systems based on up to 100Wp SPV modules.
(iv) SPV Blinkers: SPV operated LED based traffic blinkers would be supported in systems based on up to 20 Wp SPV modules.
(v) SPV Illuminating Hoardings/Bill boards: Support would be provided for SPV powered hoardings/ billboards up to 1 kW capacity.
(vi) SPV Power Packs: Support would be provided for installation of SPV power packs of up to 1 kWp capacity in commercial establishments in urban areas.
(vii) Stand-alone SPV Power Plants (SPPs): Support would be provided for installation of Stand-alone SPV power plants of capacities between 1 and 10 kWp (without distribution network) and above 10 kWp (with distribution network) for meeting electrical energy needs of a small communities in village/ urban, islands and other areas. However, in special cases, SPV power plants of capacities less than 1kWp will also be supported on case-to-case basis.
(viii) Other Applications: Other emerging applications and new applications of SPV technology and specific joint projects with other Ministries/Departments, autonomous
Government bodies and other organizations will be supported on case-to-case basis. The Ministry depending upon their utility will also support SPV systems for community use. The Ministry will also support deployment of SPV systems in areas affected by natural calamities.
3.2 SPV Rooftop Systems for Diesel saving in Urban Areas: Rooftop solar photovoltaic systems (with or without grid interaction) will be supported for installation in industrial and commercial establishments/ complexes (excluding manufacturer s of SPV cell s/ modules), housing complexes, institutions and others which face electricity shortages and are using diesel generators for backup power.
Central Financial Assistance for SPV rooftop Systems (with or without grid interaction) will be limited to 100 kWp capacity. Minimum capacity of installation will be 25 kWp. In special cases, smaller capacity systems, not less than 10 kWp, could be considered for financial support from the Ministry. Beneficiaries will exclude manufacturers of SPV cells/modules. Maximum system capacity for sanction of CFA will be linked to the capacity of the existing diesel sets installed by the beneficiary entity. An entity seeking CFA for a particular kWp SPV system must have a DG set of at least that capacity installed in its premises.
Mandatory use of Solar Water Heating System
Solar water heating is the most economic and technically viable option for meeting hot water requirements. A solar water heater of 100 liter per day capacity saves about 2200 units of electricity annually. Keeping this in view, the use of Solar Water Heating Systems has been made mandatory in the following categories of building
Industries where hot water is required for processing.
Hospitals and nursing homes including Govt. Hospitals.
Hotels, Motels and Banquet
Jail Barracks, Canteens.
Housing Complexes set up by Group Housing Societies and Housing Boards.
All residential buildings on a plot of size 500 sq.yds. and above following within the limits of Municipal Committees/Corporations and HUDA sectors.
All Govt. buildings, residential Schools and Educational Colleges, Hostels, Technical/Vocational Education Institutes, DIETs, Tourism Complexes and Universities.
Financial support from government:-
Programme being implemented:
Solar Cooker Programme
Solar Water Heating Systems Programme
Solar passive architecture programmes.
For solar cooking there are two methods of collecting sun’s energy
-Trapping it in a box (e.g. a box type solar cooker)
A Dish type solar cooker can cook food for about 10 to 15 people in 1½ to 2 hours.
COST:
The cost of a box type solar cooker is approximately Rs.1800/-. The State Government is promoting the use of box type solar cookers by providing a subsidy of
Rs.500/- per solar cooker.
The cost of a dish type solar cooker is approximately Rs.5100/-. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Govt. of India is promoting dish type solar cookers by providing subsidy @ 30% of the cost of the solar cooker limited to Rs.1500/- per dish type solar cooker and the State Govt. is providing subsidy on dish type solar cooker @ Rs.1500/-. The dish type solar cooker is available to the users at a cost of Rs.2100/- including the cost of a 5 liter pressure cooker
Concluding remarks:
With escalating environmental problems with coal based project, non-participation of IPPs in hydro power projects, logistic and technical problems clouding other non-conventional energy projects, in future, India has to depend on clean, rural based, cheap energy sources and cannot ignore its 10,600 MW geothermal potential. With available advance technology, all the medium enthalpy resources can be developed to support binary power projects. Compact generators like those developed by M/s Sowit and Turboden, Italy ( Angelino et.al., 1995) or like those developed by NEDO, Japan, are most suitable for generating rural based power from various thermal provinces. Alternatively, foreign IPPs can participate in power projects under “Build-Own-Operate-Maintain”(BOOM) scheme. Commissioning of at least one geothermal based power project is going to change the entire future power scenario of India. Indian government is also providing 50% to 85% subsidy to promote the solar energy. and there will be huge demand of energy in India after 10 year because the need of India is growing day by day.
