GS3 – Environment – Renewable Energy
Context
India is advancing towards a fully Swadeshi solar value chain, with a target of indigenous solar cell manufacturing by 2028, as announced by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy.
Rationale for Solar Energy Indigenisation
- Import Resilience: Currently, China supplies 60% of solar modules and cells, creating energy security risks.
- Financial Stability: Domestic production can reduce the $30 billion annual solar equipment import bill.
- Employment Impact: PLI Scheme has already generated 12,000 jobs, building a skilled workforce.
- Global Commitments: Supports India’s 500 GW renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero by 2070 targets.
- Rising Demand: Energy demand projected at 73 exajoules by 2050, requiring large-scale solar deployment.
Achievements in Solar Expansion
- 100 GW solar capacity crossed (2025), strengthening India’s global standing.
- IRENA (2025): India ranks 3rd globally in solar energy generation.
- Non-fossil capacity exceeded 50%, meeting COP26 target 5 years early.
- Rajasthan hosts the world’s largest solar park.
- 2 GW ingot-wafer facility established – milestone for manufacturing self-reliance.
Bottlenecks in Solar Development
- Land Trade-offs: Large-scale solar farms raise food security and ecological concerns.
- Grid Deficit: Transmission losses at 16.4%; high storage costs limit integration.
- Manufacturing Gaps: Weak R&D and infrastructure keep import reliance high.
- Cost Barriers: Rooftop solar costs ₹2.2–3.5 lakh, limiting household adoption.
- Mineral Burden: Dependence on lithium, cobalt, nickel mining has ecological costs.
- Waste Challenge: Lack of solar recycling norms risks future waste accumulation.
Strategic Pathways for Reform
- Value Chain Expansion: Develop polysilicon, wafer, and ingot capacity.
- Storage Roadmap: Launch National Storage Policy to expand battery and pumped hydro.
- Grid Upgrades: Invest in smart grids and modern transmission.
- Global Partnerships: Use the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for finance, tech, and collaboration.
- Technological Innovation: Promote agrivoltaics, perovskite R&D for efficiency and land-use optimisation.
Flagship Government Schemes and Policy Interventions
- PM-KUSUM (2019): Solarise 34,800 MW pumps by 2026; 16 lakh pumps installed.
- PLI Scheme (2021): Incentivises high-efficiency solar module production.
- PM Surya Ghar (2024): Provide rooftop solar to 1 crore homes; 20 lakh benefited so far.
- Solar Parks (2014–26): Target 40 GW capacity; 13,896 MW operational in 53 parks.
- Floating Solar (2024): Omkareshwar (MP) – Asia’s largest 600 MW floating solar park.