Decreasing trend in solar radiation for electricity in India

Source- This post on the Decreasing trend in solar radiation for electricity in India is based on the article “Study says solar radiation available for producing power falling in India” published in “The Hindu” on 27th March 2024.

Why in the News?

A recent study conducted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Pune has warned of a “decreasing trend” in solar radiation available for electricity conversion in several locations in India.

Findings of the study

1. A recent analysis reveals that there is an alarming decreasing trend in solar radiation available for cost-effective conversion into electricity using solar panels in various locations across India.

2. Factors causing a decreasing trend in solar radiation available for conversion into electricity: The decline is attributed to increased aerosol load and clouding, which are caused by factors such as carbon emissions, fossil fuel combustion, and dust.

3. Why aerosol is a causative factor: The efficiency of solar panels is affected by the sunlight exposure they receive. Aerosols play a role in reducing sunlight’s impact by absorbing it and redirecting it away from the Earth’s surface. They also contribute to the formation of dense clouds, which further obstruct sunlight.

4. The Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) potential has generally declined across various stations, such as Ahmedabad, Chennai, Goa, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Pune, Shillong, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vishakhapatnam. 

5. Although India’s largest solar parks are situated in the northwest region, cities in these regions are also experiencing a decrease in SPV potential.

Status of India’s installed solar power capacity

1. Current status of installed solar power capacity: Currently, India’s installed solar power capacity stands at approximately 81 GW. This accounts for around 17% of its total installed electricity.

2. Target: The country aims to obtain nearly half of its electricity needs from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. This would require around 500 GW of power generation.

3. What India is doing to achieve the target:

a) India plans to install at least 40 GW of solar capacity annually from 2021 onwards. India has added about 13 GW in the past five years.

b) The government is expecting the annual addition of solar capacity to range between 25-40 GW in the coming years. 

c) Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant initiative to finance rooftop solar installations in at least 1 crore (10 million) households across the nation.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment