30-April-2024-Editorial

STUDY WARNS OF ‘DECREASING TREND’ IN SOLAR RADIATION FOR ELECTRICITY IN INDIA

A recent study conducted by scientists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised alarms regarding the declining trend in solar radiation availability across various regions in India.

This decline in solar radiation poses significant challenges to India’s ambitious goals of scaling up solar power generation to meet its growing energy demands.

Key Highlights of the Study

Aerosol Load and its Impact:

• Increased aerosol load resulting from carbon emissions, fossil fuel burning, and dust accumulation, along with clouding, has been identified as a primary factor contributing to the decline in solar radiation.
• Aerosols have the capability to absorb sunlight and deflect it away from the Earth’s surface, thereby reducing the amount of solar radiation available for conversion into electricity by solar panels.
• Additionally, aerosols can lead to the formation of dense clouds, further obstructing sunlight from reaching the ground.

Decline in Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Potential:

• Analysis of solar photovoltaic (SPV) potential at various monitored stations indicates a widespread decline across all locations.
• SPV potential represents the amount of solar radiation practically available for conversion into electricity by solar panels.
• The study reveals a general decline in SPV potential in major cities and regions, including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Goa, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Pune, Shillong, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vishakhapatnam.

Global Solar Radiation (GR) Patterns:

• Global solar radiation (GR) refers to the total amount of solar radiation received per unit area on Earth’s surface.
• The study highlights variations in GR across different regions of India, with maximum GR observed over northwest India and inland peninsular India, and minimum GR recorded over extreme north and northeast India.
• Factors such as increased atmospheric turbidity and cloudiness, particularly during monsoon seasons, contribute to the reduction in GR.

Diffuse Radiation (DR) Trends:

• Diffuse radiation refers to solar radiation scattered by atmospheric particles, resulting in increased scattering of sunlight under cloudy or turbid atmospheric conditions.
• The study identifies a significant increase in diffuse radiation in more than 50% of the monitored stations, especially in northwest and some parts of peninsular India, attributed to heightened atmospheric turbidity and cloudiness.

Implications for India’s Solar Power Goals

Current Scenario:

• Despite India’s substantial progress in solar power capacity installation, with approximately 81 GW installed capacity accounting for about 17% of the total electricity installed capacity, the country faces challenges in meeting its renewable energy targets.

Ambitious Targets:

• India has set ambitious goals of sourcing nearly half of its electricity requirement from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, necessitating the installation of at least 280 GW of solar power capacity by that year.
• However, achieving these targets requires sustained efforts to address challenges and barriers hindering the growth of solar power generation in the country.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies:

• Challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, land acquisition complexities, grid integration issues, slow growth of rooftop solar, limited storage technology availability, and the need for innovation pose hurdles to India’s solar power development.
• Mitigation strategies include promoting bifacial solar panels, incentivizing domestic manufacturing, partnering with international organizations, deploying AI-powered cleaning systems, enacting building codes mandating rooftop solar installation, and fostering collaboration with local authorities.

Government Initiatives Related to Solar Energy

Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI):

• The PLI scheme aims to promote the domestic manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules, thereby reducing dependence on imports and stimulating the growth of the solar industry.

Solar Park Scheme:

• The Solar Park Scheme facilitates the development of large-scale solar parks with necessary infrastructure and amenities to attract investment and accelerate solar power deployment.

PM-KUSUM:

• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme promotes the installation of solar pumps and grid-connected solar power plants to enhance agricultural productivity and income of farmers.

Rooftop Solar Programme:

• The Rooftop Solar Programme encourages the adoption of rooftop solar panels in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors to reduce dependence on traditional grid power and promote self-sufficiency in energy generation.

International Solar Alliance (ISA):

• India is a founding member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a coalition of solar-rich countries aimed at addressing common challenges and promoting solar energy deployment globally.

Way Forward

Analyzing Aerosol Types and Targeted Policies:

• Conduct in-depth analysis of aerosol types contributing to solar radiation decline and enact targeted policies to mitigate their impact, partnering with local authorities to address regional pollution hotspots.

Promoting Bifacial Solar Panels and Domestic Manufacturing:

• Promote the adoption of bifacial solar panels and incentivize domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports, create green jobs, and enhance solar power generation efficiency.

Collaboration and Research:

• Collaborate with international research organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to share data and best practices on mitigating air pollution’s impact on solar radiation.

Deployment of AI-powered Cleaning Systems:

• Develop and deploy AI-powered robotic cleaning systems for solar panels to optimize cleaning schedules based on weather data and dust forecasts, maximizing solar power generation efficiency.

Mandating Rooftop Solar Installation:

• Enact building codes mandating the pre-installation of rooftop solar panels on all new commercial and government buildings to accelerate rooftop solar adoption and reduce reliance on traditional grid power.