How solar energy decentralizes power generation

Source: The post how solar energy decentralizes power generation has been created, based on the article “Solar, a game changer in women’s empowerment” published in “The Hindu” on 29th October 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- infrastructure and GS1-Society-Role of women

Context: This article discusses how solar energy decentralizes power generation, benefiting communities, especially women, with income and job opportunities. It highlights solar’s positive social and environmental impacts and emphasizes the need for inclusive, gender-aware energy policies.

For detailed information on Solar Energy in India read this article here

What Is the Role of Solar Energy in Modern Society?

1. Solar energy provides a direct way to generate electricity at home, unlike traditional energy sources like coal and oil that require extensive infrastructure.
2. This decentralization of power helps reduce barriers to accessing energy, particularly benefiting individuals and local communities by making them more self-sufficient and reducing environmental impact.

How Does Solar Energy Empower Women?

1. Income and Health Opportunities: Solar energy provides women with improved access to income and health benefits, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.
2. Gujarat’s Little Rann of Kutch Example: Women salt farmers who switched from costly diesel to solar pumps increased their income by 94% and reduced CO2 emissions by up to 1,15,000 metric tons annually.
3. Women as Solar Engineers: Initiatives like Barefoot College in India, Grameen Shakti in Bangladesh, and Solar Sister in Africa empower women by training them as solar engineers. This impacts millions and improves community health and safety.
4. We Care Solar in Uganda: The We Care Solar program’s solar suitcases reduced perinatal deaths by 72% in Ugandan health centers.
5. Women in Solar Workforce: The solar industry employs more women than other energy sectors, with women making up 40% of the workforce in the solar photovoltaic industry in 2022.
6. Job Growth in India: India’s renewable energy goals are expected to create three million new jobs by 2030, offering significant employment opportunities for women.

What Challenges Does Solar Energy Face?

1. Geographical Imbalance: Most investments are concentrated in developed countries, leaving regions like Africa underfunded in solar projects.
2. Sectoral Imbalance: Large-scale solar farms receive the majority of funding, while small-scale applications like solar pumps and cold storage are often overlooked.
3. Manufacturing Concentration: Only two countries dominate solar manufacturing, disrupting supply chains and increasing costs as demand rises globally.
4. End-of-Life Management: Proper recycling and waste management are lacking. A framework for recycling photovoltaic materials is needed to prevent waste and enhance sustainability.
5. Affordability Issues: Ensuring easy and affordable access to solar requires government and market support.

How Can Energy Policies Be Improved?

1. Energy policies need to incorporate a gender perspective to be truly effective.
2. Integrating solar energy initiatives with other sectors such as agriculture can help dismantle systemic barriers that affect women, promoting a more inclusive energy economy.
3. This approach ensures that solar energy not only supports sustainability but also drives socio-economic development.

Question for practice:

Discuss how solar energy decentralization impacts communities, especially women, and promotes socio-economic development.