Context:
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued guidelines for ‘Model Solar Village’
Model Solar Village:
- Component of – PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
- Objectives –
- To create one Model Solar Village in each district of the country.
- To empower village communities to become more self-reliant in meeting their energy needs.
- Eligibility – Village with a population size of more than 5,000 as per the Census.
- Central Financial Assistance (CFA) – Each Model Village will get grant of Rs 1 crore.
- Implementation Agency – State Renewable Energy Development Agency of the concerned state or any other entity nominated agency by the State/UT Government.
PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:
- Aim –To provide 300 units of ‘free electricity’ every month to 1 crore households through rooftop solar installations
- Ministry – Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
- Central subsidy –
- 60% of the cost for installing for 2 kW systems
- 40% of the cost for systems from 2-3 kW capacity
- Systems of higher wattage are not eligible
Source: The Economic Times
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.
