A

Seminar Report
on
MUSHROOMING SOLAR ENERGY IN INDIA: A REVIEW

By:
Sheetal Singh Chauhan
(16/IEE/052)

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, BLOCK-A
GAUTAM BUDDHA UNIVERSITY
GREATER NOIDA, U.P.
1. ABSTRACT

India is a vast country with estimated population of 1.37 billion. Energy is one of the building
blocks in human development, and as such, acts as a key factor in determining the economic
development. In an effort to meet the demands of a developing nation, the energy sector has
witnessed a rapid growth. Solar power, one of the potential energy sources, is a fast developing
industry in India. This presentation reviews the current energy scenario, latest developments
of solar energy, solar potential hotspots, future planning and challenges related to solar energy
in India. Government policies related to solar energy promotion and environmental impact of
solar energy are also discussed in this presentation.
2. CONTENTS

 Introduction
 World energy scenario
 Indian energy scenario
 Solar power generating plant
 All India installed capacity of power stations
 Renewable energy in India
 India’s 2022 renewable energy target
 Solar hotspots in India
 Solar energy benefits
 Latest in solar cell technology
 Trending solar technologies
 Jawaharlal Nehru national solar mission
 Government initiatives in solar energy
 Achievements in solar energy growth
 Challenges in solar power development
 Conclusion
 References

3. INTRODUCTION
 Environmental Pollution and climate change is a key issue that has been affecting
our earth. Use of renewable resources of energy is one of the initiatives taken to
bring the situation under control.
 India played a pivotal role in clinching the climate change deal amongst 195
countries at the COP21 in Paris, with 40% commitment for non-fossil fuel-based
energy by 2030. A target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the
year 2022 has been set.
 The government has set a target of installing 40 GW of grid connected rooftop solar
capacity in the country including Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) by the
year 2022. From an energy security perspective, solar is the most secure of all the
sources, since it is abundantly available.
 India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change also points out: “India is a tropical
country, where sunshine is available for longer hours per day and in great
intensity”. Solar energy, therefore, has great potential as future energy source.
 Theoretically, a small fraction of the total incident solar energy (if captured
effectively) can meet the entire country’s power requirements. It is predicted that
solar energy would emerge as the largest source of electricity in the world in the
coming years.
 India is a world leader in renewable energy and occupies 2 nd climatescope rank (in
the year 2018) after Chile on top.
4. WORLD ENERGY SCENARIO

 The world’s primary energy consumption in the year 2018 was 13864.9 M toe.
 The world’s Renewables consumption in the year 2018 was 561.3 M toe.
 The share of Renewables in the world is only 4%.
 The world’s total electricity generation in the year 2018 was 26614.8 TWh out of
which 2480.4 TWh was generated from the renewables.

World Primary Energy Consumption in M toe (2018)

OIL
7% 4% NATURAL
4% GAS
34% COAL
NUCLEAR
27% ENERGY
HYDRO
24% RENEWABL
ES

5. INDIAN ENERGY SCENARIO

 India attains third position globally for overall primary energy consumption (2018)
after China and US.
 India attains fourth position globally for overall renewables consumption (2018)
after China, US and Germany.
 Total primary energy consumption in the year 2018 was 809.2 Million tonnes oil
equivalent.
 The total electricity generation in the year 2018 was 1561.1 TWh out of which 121.5
TWh was generated from the renewables.
 During the aforesaid period (2017-18), Generation of Electricity increased by 5.71
% and Consumption of electricity increased by 7.39%.
 India 's Primary Energy Consumption in M toe (2018)
3% OIL
1% 4% NATURAL
GAS
30% COAL
NUCLEAR
ENERGY
HYDRO
RENEWABL
6% ES
56%

 India occupies second position world- wide for electricity generation after US (2018). India
occupies fifth position globally for electricity generation by renewables (2018).
 India played a pivotal role in clinching the climate change deal amongst 195 countries at
the COP21 in Paris, with 40% commitment for non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. This
commitment lead to the India’s 2022 Renewable energy budget.

6. SOLAR POWER GENERATING PLANT

 Sun is the primary source of energy on earth. This primary energy from sun is converted to
electricity (secondary form) using some technologies in a Solar power generating plant.
 There are generally two technologies: PV (photovoltaic), CSP (concentrated solar power).
 PV converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.
 Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a
large area of sunlight onto a receiver that heats up a liquid. The heated liquid is used to
make steam that produces electricity.
 Both the technologies are used in India.

7. ALL INDIA INSTALLED CAPACITY (IN MW) OF POWER

STATIONS ( as on 31.10.2019)

Region Therma Nucle Hydr RES Total

l ar o

Northe 58173.2 1620.0 19707. 16383.1 95330.74

rn 3 0 77 0
Region
 Wester 85900.1 1840.0 7547.5 24811.5 95884.10
n 1 0 0 1
Region

Souther 53089.3 3320.0 11774. 40315.2 108499.42

n 4 0 83 5
Region

Eastern 29616.8 0.00 4942.1 1488.22 36047.21

Region 7 2

North 2581.83 0.00 1427.0 363.24 4372.06

Eastern 0
Region

Islands 40.05 0.00 0.00 18.19 58.24

All 229401. 6780.0 45399. 83379.5 364960.14

India 42 0 22 0

8. RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA

 There is high potential for generation of renewable energy from various sources - wind,
solar, biomass, small hydro.
 The total potential for renewable power generation in the country as on 31.10.19 was
83379.50 MW.

ENERGY SOURCES POTENTIAL (MW) IN PERCENTAGE (%)

SOLAR POWER 31696.26 38.01

WIND POWER 37090.02 44.48

SMALL HYDRO POWER 4647.11 5.57

BIOMASS POWER & 9946.11 11.93

WASTE TO ENERGY
9. INDIA’S 2022 RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

India’s 2022 Renewable Energy Target

120

100
20
Capacity (In GW)

80

60 40

40
60
20 40

5 10
0
Small Hydel Biomass Wind Solar
Projects

10. SOLAR HOTSPOTS IN INDIA

 Imminent climatic changes and the demand for clean energy sources have induced
significant global interest in solar energy.
 Solar as alternative for power generation among the available clean energy sources
has the highest global warming mitigation potential.
 Solar hotspots are the areas with exceptional solar power potential.
 Identification of solar hotspots helps in meet escalating power supply demand in
decentralized, efficient and sustainable manner.
 It is concluded that 58% of the geographical area in the country fall under solar
hotspot with more than 5 kWh/m2/day of annual average global insolation.
 The intensity of insolation quantifies the solar resource potential.
 11. SOLAR ENERGY BENEFITS
Solar energy poses no threat to the planet as there are no harmful emissions of any kind in its
production.
Solar technology is cost effective, under economies of scale, and will reduce the dependency on
expensive fuel and gas.
Global Warming will reduce.
Solar energy diminishes the risk of health hazards like respiratory issues, various kinds of cancers
and cardiovascular problems.

12. Latest in solar cell technology

 Dye Sensitized Solar Cells:
• The mechanism of dye solar cells is based on the photo electrochemical processes. They are
thin film cells.
• They have a good efficiency (about 10-14 %) even under low flux of sunlight.
• A major drawback is the temperature sensitivity of the liquid electrolyte.

 Perovskite Solar Cells:

• A perovskite is a material that has same crystal structure as the mineral calcium titanium
oxide (also known as Perovskite).
• In 2012, researchers first discovered how to make a stable thin-film perovskite solar cells
with efficiencies over 10%, using organic-inorganic lead halides as the active (light-
absorbing) layer.
• The laboratory record standing at 20.1%. 

 Quantum Dot Solar Cells:

• A QDSC is a solar cell that uses quantum dots as the captivating photovoltaic material.
• It is used to replace bulky materials such as silicon, or copper indium gallium selenide.
• Quantum dots have bandgaps that are adjustable through a wide array of energy levels by
changing the size of the dots.
• Frequencies in the far infrared that are characteristically difficult to achieve with
traditional solar cells can be obtained using lead sulphide colloidal quantum dots.

 Organic Solar Cells:

• Organic solar cells use organic materials and are comprised of several layers: a photo-
active layer and 2 electrode layers. These layers are printed using roll-to-roll
manufacturing.
• These layers are typically printed on a thin plastic substrate followed by lamination with a
protective and flexible foil.

 Multi Junction Solar Cells:

• Multi-junction solar cells are capable of absorbing different wavelengths of incoming
sunlight by using different layers.
• They are more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity than single-junction cells.
• High production costs and continuing research and development means that multi-junction
cells are not currently commercially available or feasible.

Organic solar cell Perovskite solar cell

 Multi junction solar cell

13. TRENDING SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES

 Floatovoltaics:
• “Floatovoltaics” are photovoltaic solar power systems created for floating on reservoirs,
dams, and other water bodies.
• It has been proven that floating Solar PV systems provide significantly greater generation
by up to 10% than its ground mount counterparts.
• Floatovoltaics significantly reduce evaporation losses, helps reduce maintenance cost of
manmade water storage systems by arresting algae growth.
• The installation costs of floating photovoltaic panels are less than land-based photovoltaic
panels.

 BIPV Solar Technology:

• Building Integrated Photovoltaics, seamlessly blend into building architecture in the form
of roofs, canopies, curtain walls, facades, and skylight systems.
• Increased energy efficiency.
• High thermal and sound insulation.
• Decreased O&M costs.

 Solar Skins:
• Solar Skins is a novel PV technology to integrate custom designs into solar panel systems.
• Solar thin-film skins maintain high efficiency due to its selective light filtration
advancements.
• It simultaneously displays the custom image and provides solar energy.

 Solar Fabrics:
• Solar Cell Fabrics is a fabric with embedded PV cells which generate electricity when
exposed to light.
• Thin-film cells and organic polymer based cells are flexible and can be stitched onto fabric.
• These solar filaments can be embedded into your clothing to help you keep warmer, power
your phone, and provide energy for other needs while you’re on the go.

 Double Sided Solar Panels:

• Bi-facial solar panels can harness sunlight through both surfaces of the panel.
• These panels can capture light as it reflects off of the roof or ground surface below the
panel.

 Tesla solar tiles:

• Tesla’s solar tiles are a unique and distinct product. It allows homeowners to go solar
without any noticeable difference on their roof.
• These solar tiles are significantly more durable than the standard roof
materials commonly used today.

Solar Fabrics Tesla solar Tiles

Solar Skin
 14. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION
 It is a major initiative of the Government of India and State Governments to promote
ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy security challenge.
 It will also constitute a major contribution by India to the global effort to meet the
challenges of climate change.

MISSION TARGETS:
 To deploy 20 million solar lighting systems for rural areas by 2022.
 To achieve 15 million sq. meters solar thermal collector area by 2017 and 20 million by
2022.
 To promote programmes for off grid applications, reaching 1000 MW by 2017 and 2000
MW by 2022.
 To create an enabling policy framework for the deployment of 20,000 MW of solar power
by 2022.
 To create favourable conditions for solar manufacturing capability, particularly solar
thermal for indigenous production and market leadership.

Sr. Application Target for Target for Target for

No. segment Phase I Phase 2 Phase 3
(2010 – (2013-17) (2017-22)
13)

1. Solar 7 15 million 20 million

collectors million sq. meters sq. meters
sq.
meters

2. Off grid 200 1000 MW 2000 MW

solar MW
application
s

3. Utility grid 1,000- 4000- 20000 MW

power, 2000 10,000
including MW MW
roof top

15. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN SOLAR ENERGY

  Development of Solar parks for hassle free development of solar projects.
 Net metering facilities provided to promote rooftop sector.
 Subsidies for promotion of roof top and solar pumps and small projects at distribution
level.
 Developing Green corridors for providing Transmission and evacuation infrastructure.
 Grid infrastructure made available at free of cost till 2022.
 National Solar Thermal Power Testing, Research and Simulation Facility.
 Cold Storage with Solar – Biomass Hybrid System.
 Solar cell characterization laboratory.
 High Efficiency Solar Thermal Air-conditioning Systems – a collaborative project of
Thermax Limited and solar Energy Centre.

16. ACHIEVEMENTS IN SOLAR ENERGY GROWTH

Grid – Interactive TARGET (MW) ACHIEVEMENTS CUMULATIVE

Power (April-august 2019) in ACHIEVEMENTS
MW
(MW) (on 30.09.2019) in MW

Solar Power -
7500.00 2479.07 28863.37
Ground Mounted

Solar Power - Roof

1000.00 441.96 2238.31
Top

 501 MW grid connected solar rooftop projects have been installed in the country.
 INR 356.63 crores has been released to Solar Energy Corporation of India for the projects.
 The world's largest single location solar power plant (648-MW) was commissioned in Tamil
Nadu on September 21, 2016.
 31,472 solar water pumps have been installed.

17. CHALLENGES IN SOLAR POWER DEVELOPMENT

 Availability of land (generating 1MW of solar power requires 5 acres of land over which
solar panels are spread).
 Availability of grid to absorb high share of solar power.
 Availability of debt-financing.
 Storage limitation.
 Quality Infrastructure.
 Solar Resource.
 Local Manufacturing.
 The need for distinct, goals driven and collaborative R&D projects to help India to
accomplish technology governance in PV.
 Poor relationship between government and industry.
18. CONCLUSION
 Solar power is infirm power and efforts are required to be made it firm power by
developing appropriate storage facilities.
 The solar industry in India is rising at a fast pace. The growing trend will also continue in
the coming future.
 Various solar hotspot areas are identified with exceptional solar potential. Nearly 58% of
the country receives annual average global insolation of 5 kWh/m2/ day.
 It is predicted that India will overachieve its 2022 renewable energy target.
 The government has come up with several initiatives in solar to promote its widespread.
 A major thrust for R&D is essential in solar technologies to reduce the cost and enable
competition with conventional fossil fuels.
19. REFERENCES
[1] India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change – NCBI
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2822162/ )
[2] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – MNRI (https://mnre.gov.in/solar)
[3] Central Electricity Authority – CEA (http://cea.nic.in/reports/annual/lgbr/lgbr-2018.pdf)
[4] Full report – BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019 (www.bp.com)
[5] Hotspots of solar potential in India (wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in)
[6] Evolution of solar energy in India-A review (wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in)
[7] climatescope-2018-report-en.pdf (global-climatescope.org)