THE APPROACH
THE INTRODUCTION: Solar energy generation in India.
THE BODY
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- Ecological benefits
- Economic benefits
THE CONCLUSION: Advantages of solar energy generation.
THE INTRODUCTION:
Solar energy generation in India provides substantial ecological and economic benefits, supporting sustainable development and energy security.
India has made significant strides in solar power, achieving 119.02 GW of installed solar capacity by the end of the July 2025.
THE BODY:
About 5,000 trillion kWh per year energy is incident over India’s land area with most parts receiving 4-7 kWh per sqm per day.
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- From an energy security perspective, solar is the most secure of all sources, since it is abundantly available.
- Solar energy has taken a central place in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change with National Solar Mission (NSM) as one of the key Missions.
- National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has assessed the country’s solar potential of about 748 GW assuming 3% of the waste land area to be covered by Solar PV modules.
- NSM was launched on 11th January, 2010. NSM is a major initiative of the Government of India with active participation from States to promote ecological sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy security challenges.
Ecological benefits:
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- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change and lowering air pollution. Example- NTPC Ramagundam Floating Solar, Telangana: 100 MW plant saves water and avoids annual emission of 210,000 tons CO₂.
- Minimizes land degradation and water use compared to coal-based power (Example-Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh).
- Preserves natural resources, as sunlight is abundant and renewably sourced, lessening deforestation and mining pressures. Example: Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan prevents millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions and uses arid land unsuitable for farming.
- Reduce air pollution.
- Reduce the harmful impact of fossil fuel extraction on environment and wildlife, example- deforestation, water and soil pollution due to mining in Jharkhand.
- Conservation of water.
Economic benefits:
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- Generates employment in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance across the solar sector, example- Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat has created thousands of jobs. India’s current solar energy tariffs are about 30% lower than existing thermal energy.
- Reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, saving foreign exchange and improving trade balance. India’s solar energy production is saving an estimated ₹1.26 lakh crore (₹1.26 trillion) in foreign exchange annually.
- Enhances rural electrification, especially in states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, supporting agricultural productivity and improving living standards. Example- PM-KUSUM.
- Stimulates local entrepreneurship: Rooftop solar installations and floating solar projects (Ramagundam, Telangana; Kayamkulam, Kerala) provide affordable power to communities and businesses.
- Additional income generation to households, example- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
- Reliable source of energy for industries and households.
To achieve the above target, Government of India have launched various schemes to encourage generation of solar power in the country like Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU Scheme, Defence Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme etc.
THE CONCLUSION:
India’s solar initiative thus drives environmental conservation and inclusive economic growth, positioning the country as a global leader in clean energy.
Off-grid decentralized and low-temperature applications will be advantageous from a rural application perspective and meeting other energy needs for power, heating and cooling in both rural and urban areas.
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