Realising solar power’s potential for energy security

Source: The post “Realising solar power’s potential for energy security” has been created, based on “Realising solar power’s potential for energy security” published in “BusinessLine” on  24th March 2026.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-2- Economy

Context: India remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, which exposes the country to global geopolitical uncertainties and energy price volatility. In this context, solar energy has emerged as a critical pillar of India’s strategy to improve energy security, with the country expanding its installed solar capacity to nearly 130 GW over the past decade through both large-scale solar parks and decentralised rooftop installations.

Role of Decentralised Solar Energy in Strengthening Energy Security

Decentralised solar energy contributes to India’s energy security in several important ways:

1. Rooftop solar installations reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and thereby improve India’s strategic and economic resilience.
2. Decentralised solar systems generate electricity close to the point of consumption, which reduces transmission and distribution losses significantly.
3. Rooftop solar installations reduce the need for expensive long-distance transmission infrastructure required for large-scale solar parks located in remote areas.
4. Government initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar scheme encourage household participation in energy generation and promote energy self-sufficiency at the local level.
5. Decentralised solar systems can support the transition toward electric mobility by supplying clean electricity for EV charging.

Challenges Associated with Decentralised Solar Energy

Despite its advantages, decentralised solar generation creates several operational and financial challenges:

1. Electricity distribution networks in India were originally designed for one-way power flows from centralised plants to consumers, and they face difficulties in handling bidirectional flows from rooftop solar installations.
2. Large-scale rooftop solar integration can lead to voltage fluctuations and grid instability during periods of high solar generation.
3. Distribution companies experience revenue losses when residential consumers offset their electricity purchases through net metering mechanisms.
4. Several State governments have introduced additional charges and regulatory restrictions that reduce the attractiveness of rooftop solar installations.
5. There exists a mismatch between daytime solar generation and evening peak electricity demand, which leads to surplus power being exported to the grid during the day and imported at night.

Way Forward

Linking decentralised solar generation with EV charging infrastructure can help address many of these challenges:

1. EV charging during daytime hours can absorb surplus electricity generated by rooftop solar installations and reduce reverse power flows into the grid.
2. Such integration can reduce stress on distribution networks and improve grid stability.
3. Expanding EV charging infrastructure under schemes such as the PM-DRIVE initiative can accelerate India’s transition toward clean transportation.
4. Community-level pooling of rooftop solar power in residential colonies and apartment complexes can enable the establishment of shared EV charging stations.
5. Successful examples such as the integration of solar generation with EV fleets at VOC Port in Tuticorin demonstrate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this model.

Conclusion: Decentralised solar energy has the potential to significantly strengthen India’s energy security while supporting the clean energy transition. Linking rooftop solar generation with local EV charging infrastructure can improve grid stability, enhance renewable energy utilisation, and promote sustainable mobility in an integrated and efficient manner.

Question: Decentralised solar energy can strengthen India’s energy security but also creates grid management challenges. Discuss. How can linking rooftop solar generation with EV charging infrastructure help address these challenges?

Source: BusinessLine