India’s solar potential
The sun is the source of solar energy. This energy hits the earth and is extremelypowerful. A small percentage of sunlight hitting the earth is sufficient to meet thepower and energy needs of the entire population roughly more than 8500 times. Eachyear, India is able to receive well over 4500 trillion KWH of pure solar energy, thanksto its geographical location. This is much higher than the annual power consumptionof India, and even that of the United States which used lesser than 4 trillion KWH of energy in 2004. Link: The Sun’s Potential in India: Solar Radiation PPT Map(http://www.india-reports.com/summary/map-solar.aspx). The usage of solar energy by human civilization is nothing new. For many centuries,building methods have made use of sun’s movements to optimize its warmth andheat. Many ancient South and North American Indian tribes and Egyptians have alsoworshipped the sun. The industrial usage of solar power using concave mirrors toheat water dates back to the late 15th century, when Leonardo Da Vinci conceivedthis idea.With the help of solar power technology, we can tap sun energy in many ways. Solarcells, otherwise known as photovoltaic or photoelectric cells are the most populardevices that help to convert sunlight into electricity. In combination with modules,they are used to manufacture solar panels. Solar energy is also used in thefunctioning of solar water heaters, melting steel, creating hydrogen fuel and makingelectricity through solar furnaces. The reflective surfaces used in these solar furnaceshelps in concentrating all of sun’s energy into a strategic point which in turngenerates a large amount of heat and thereby electricity. There are other advantages that accompany the use of solar power. Solar energy is afree and an inexhaustible source of fuel. There is no pollution or wastage resultingfrom its use. In small and remote villages, solar power may be the only source of energy, especially, if it is not possible to draw energy from other sources. It can alsobe used for hi-tech purposes. Solar powered cars, satellites, air conditioning systems,battery chargers and hand held calculators are increasingly being used these days. The strategic geographical location of India enables it to have long and sunny daysfor the major part of the year. Hence solar energy can be the practical solution togenerate electricity for the mass of Indian population. Though there is a huge potential in solar energy to support the growing energy needsof India’s population, yet the expense associated with the installation of solar devicesmakes it a distant dream. Presently, fossil fuel energy meets most of India’s needs.Once solar energy technologies become cost effective, we can see a shift towards itsusage in developing countries like India. Small scale installations of this nature areincreasingly taking place in these countries.“Governments are finding its modular, decentralized character ideal for filling theelectric needs of the thousands of remote villages in their countries." Solar energywill also be a practical solution in highly populated countries such as India becausepeople may not have the money to pay for the extension of expensive power lines orconventional electricity. The implementation of solar electrification project in many of India’s villages has led to better living conditions for the masses.India is expected to take further advantage of the ample availability of solar energyin the future. This can improve the standard of living for much of the population.
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