Persuading an audience to buy Solar Energy Products

1. Need

1.1. Energy security

1.1.1. scarcity of fossil resources

1.1.2. Abundance of solar energy

1.1.3. Solar is free source of energy

1.1.4. India is dependent on imports to fulfill its energy demands

1.2. Economic development

1.2.1. Developing economy such as India needs proper electricity for industrial growth and agriculture

1.3. Social development

1.3.1. Mostly energy demands are fulfilled by subsidised kerosene, leading to loss for exchequer

1.3.2. problem of power cuts and unavailability of electricity

1.4. Environment concern

1.4.1. India’s large part of energy demand is fulfilled by thermal energy

1.4.2. It also causes environment pollution

1.4.3. Solar energy is clean form of energy resource

2. Technology

2.1. Solar Photovoltaic

2.2. Solar thermal

3. Types

3.1. Solar for grid connected electricity

3.1.1. Grid interactive solar energy is derived from solar photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power Plants on a large scale

3.2. Solar for off-grid solutions

3.2.1. the places where utility power is scant or too expensive to bring, have no choice but to opt for their own generation

3.2.2. They generate power from a diverse range of small local generators using both fossil fuels (diesel, gas) and locally available renewable energy technologies (solar PV, wind, small hydro, biomass, etc.) with or without its own storage (batteries)

4. Advantages

4.1. Solar Energy is available throughout the day which is the peak load demand time

4.2. Solar energy conversion equipments have longer life and need lesser maintenance

4.3. Low running costs & grid tie-up capital returns (Net Metering)

4.4. do not cause pollution and generate clean power

4.5. Abundance of free solar energy in almost all parts of country

4.6. No overhead wires- no transmission loss

5. Challenges in adoption

5.1. India’s solar story is largely built over imported products

5.2. India’s domestic content requirement clause ia facing legal challenge at WTO

5.3. India is facing challenge to balance Prioritising domestic goals and WTO commitments

5.4. The dumping of products is leading to profit erosion of local manufacturers

5.5. Indian domestic manufacturers aren’t technically and economically strong to compete with Chinese companies

5.6. Land availability in India for solar plant is less due to high population density

5.7. India's solar waste is estimated to be around 1.8 million by 2050 also needs to be tackled

6. Government initiatives

6.1. Ministry of new and renewable energy is the nodal agency to tackle India's renewable energy issues

6.2. National Solar Mission is a major initiative of the Government of India

6.3. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a Non-Banking Financial Institution under the administrative control of this Ministry for providing term loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects

6.4. National institute of solar energy is created as autonomous institution under MoNRE is apex body for R&D

6.5. Establishment of solar parks and ultra major solar power project and enhancing grid connectivity infrastructure

6.6. Promotion of canal bank and canal tank solar infrastructure

6.7. Suryamitra programme to prepare qualified workforce

6.8. Renewable purchase obligation for large energy consumer customers

6.9. National green energy programme and green energy corridor

7. Way Forward

7.1. Strong financial measures are required to finance the solar projects, innovative steps like green bonds, institutional loans and clean energy fund can play a crucial role

7.2. Promotion of research and development in renewable energy sector, especially in storage technology

7.3. Proper mechanism should be provided to tackle China's dumping of solar equipments

7.4. Framework to avoid unnecessary delays in policy decision making and implementation

7.5. ndia needs a Solar Waste Management and Manufacturing Standards Policy