Context:
India Achieves Historic Milestone of 100 GW Installed Solar Power Capacity
Solar Sector in India:
- Dominant contributor to India’s renewable energy growth, accounting for 47% of the total installed renewable energy capacity
- As of January 31, 2025, India’s total solar capacity installed stands at 100.33 GW
- India’s Target – 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030
- Rooftop solar sector witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, with 4.59 GW of new capacity installed, reflecting a 53% increase compared to 2023.
- Top performing States – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
Key Initiatives and Policies:
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Aims to provide solar power to 1 crore households by March 2027.
- Solar Parks Scheme: Offers ready infrastructure for developers with statutory clearances.
- National Solar Mission: Launched to promote solar energy development and achieve grid parity.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Introduced to boost domestic manufacturing of solar cells and modules.
- Model Solar Village
- PM-KUSUM: Aims to provide solar pumps to farmers.
- International Solar Alliance
- 100% FDI: Allowed under the automatic route for renewable energy projects
- Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM): Enables solar energy trading through exchanges.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:
1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in the electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct:
Solar energy can be converted directly into electrical energy (direct current, DC) by photovoltaic (PV) cells commonly called solar cells.
Statement 3 is not correct:
India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology as well as for Photovoltaics.