Solar Energy Mission: Paving the Way for India’s Transformational Future

Abstract

Renewable energy, especially the solar power, has been garnering a lot of interest from governments, international development organizations, civil society, and the private sector for the last few years. Among the various renewable energy resources in the country, solar energy potential is the highest. The sun produces an unbelievable amount of energy that reaches to the earth. With its abundance of the sunlight, India has tremendous potential to emerge as one of the leaders in solar power generation. On the national front, firstly, solar power stands to partially address the issue of shortage of power for economic growth. There is an established positive correlation between energy requirement and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. Secondly, solar power can foster energy security for India by reducing dependence on imported fuel. At the international level, firstly, India has already demonstrated that it is an industrial low-cost destination worldwide. It has the potential to capture cost reduction leadership for solar power as well. Secondly, cleaner energy production through solar power also contributes to India’s international commitment in Paris to draw 40% of electricity from renewable source by 2030. According to the Government of India’s policy for the solar sector – Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) – a target of 100 (GW) of solar installations by 2022 has been set.

The present paper provides an overview of Solar Mission in India and its three phases. This paper also discuss about the various advantages of solar energy and Government of India’s initiatives towards solar energy with examples. At last the paper also suggests strategies that can help India in becoming Solar Super Power.

Keywords: Renewable Energy, JNNSM, MNRE, Rooftop Solar, Solar Cities