Scenario of solar energy and policies in India

• Published in: Clean energy (Online) 2024-10, Vol.8 (5), p.117-128
• Main Authors: Kumar M, Sathish, Kumari, Prity, Lad, Y A, Maria, Sherin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2515-4230; 2515-396X
• DOI: 10.1093/ce/zkae057

Abstract Solar power is energy from the Sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. China, the USA, and India have the world’s richest solar energy sources. India receives solar radiation with an average intensity of 200 MW/km2 and 250–300 sunny days a year. The solar radiation in India varies from 4 to 7 kWh/m2/day, with 2300–3200 sunshine hours yearly, depending on the region. Badhla Solar Park, Jodhpur, India, is the world’s largest solar plant, with 2.25 GW of installed capacity. Solar energy is the best alternative electricity source used explicitly in the agricultural sector. In the farming sector, the consumption of solar energy has been increasing. The major issues were the installation costs, low availability of technicians, and poor quality of panels. The focus on skill development equips the workforce to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustained growth in the renewable-energy field. With the support of international collaboration and a skilled workforce, India’s progress in solar energy development is a boon for the industry. This study reviews the current state of solar power generation in India. The review also focuses on the challenges and opportunities for solar energy in India, and it serves as a tool for future research. Graphical Abstract Graphical Abstract