India is at the forefront of the solar energy revolution. According to recent data, India’s solar capacity reached 36.6GW at the end of the first quarter of 2020, with eyes set on reaching 100GW by 2022. The country receives abundant sunshine, which is about 300 sunny days in a year. Additionally, India is also home to a large energy-guzzling population, making it an ideal location for solar power generation.
Moreover, the country’s global standing as one of the most cost-efficient producers of solar power is reflected in its gradual shift towards renewable energy. The change in policy is aiding its journey towards a global goal of harnessing renewable energy at full capacity. Having recognized this early, the government has already taken steps to ensure consistent growth. This in turn has helped the solar industry reach economies of scale in a short span of time, making India one of the cheapest producers of solar power.
Solar power is therefore the perfect driver for the nation’s growth, coupled with the social objective of supplying electricity for all.
Government Policies And Promotion
“Electricity for all” can be achieved by meeting the target of 50GW solar power capacity by 2025. This means every village and household in India that is facing huge power cuts or lacks power connection will be provided electricity through off-grid solar plants, equipped with batteries.
The journey, however, is not easy and requires a concerted effort from both the central and state governments, industries, and all the other stakeholders. The government is already promoting the use of solar energy as an alternative to other forms, by coming up with supportive policies, tenders, and economically viable cost structures. It is playing a critical
role by encouraging the manufacturing of solar-powered goods domestically, in line with the latest innovations.
Furthermore, Indian states have started ramping up their installed solar-powered capacity. Every state has taken steps to install rooftop solar systems on industrial & residential buildings, and airports. For instance, Madhya Pradesh became the first state to have completed one of the largest solar power projects this year. Many such laudable and novel attempts are being spearheaded in the sector. For example, the canal-top solar plantsare a first-of-their-kind technology that has been innovated in India, setting a precedent for the world to follow.
The initiatives mentioned above are already in action and sector has seen an expansion in the last few years. The market’s focus has shifted from large-scale utility projects of installing rooftop solar systems, to smaller projects with innovative products that run on solar energy.
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Innovations in solar energy industry must be viewed as a huge opportunity for India to transform the energy sector
Vibhhas Verma, Founder & CEO, Aqueouss
Solar Products
The field is continuously undergoing innovation and discoveries. As we move towards an eco-friendlier future, a number of advancements have been made. These include solar streetlights, solar cookers, solar trees, solar cars, solar inverters, among others. The portability of these solar-powered products shall lead to higher sales, which are bound to increase if it serves multiple purposes i.e. if it can also be battery operated.
Importance Of Lithium Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are considered one of the most famous and advanced battery technologies at present, which can also be used for solar products. In the past few years, this battery type has experienced a massive surge in demand from the solar energy industry. Lithium-ion batteries are being used in all types of solar products as they have several benefits over the lead-acid and older battery technologies. The pioneers in this field are looking for affordable solutions to harness the lithiumsolar combination for optimal utilization. Aqueouss, a manufacturer of Lithium Battery Packs and Chargers, has been providing customized lithium battery solutions for the solar sector in India. Innovations such as these are a testament to what the solar energy field can achieve.
It is therefore evident that innovations in solar energy industry must be viewed as a huge opportunity for India to transform the energy sector. This will enable India to truly deliver the Prime Minister’s clarion call to be “atmanirbhar” or self-reliant, generate large-scale employment, achieve its solar energy targets and embark on the journey to become the world leader in solar PV manufacturing.
