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Published online 4 August 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.774
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India embarks on solar drive
Multibillion-dollar plans aim to provide 20 GW of solar power capacity by 2020.
India's prime minister Manmohan Singh has approved a US$19 billion plan to make the country a global leader in solar energy over the next three decades. The ambitious project would see a massive expansion in installed solar capacity, and aims to reduce the price of electricity generated from solar energy to match that from fossil fuels by 2030.
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We have become proud Indians on getting the news of the ambitious plan of our respected Prime Minister. With the implementation of solar energy as an major source our country will be the global-leader in the 'renewable energy sector' in the next decades to come. Moreover, this venture will definitely reduce the global warming vis-a-vis prevent the ozone layer depletion with comparatively lesser use of fossil fuel if we make it cost-effective. In the long run, the mother earth will be better habitation for our future generations.
The goals sound wildly ambitious, but good for India! If only the U.S. would show similar boldness--a Manhattan Project aimed at energy independence and clean energy. Good luck to India and thank you for leading the way.
Certainly a wise decision. It may not be a transition as after 40 years the energy demand will also be ~10 times higher than now; so still solar would be producing only ~10% of total demand. Kudos to Manmohan Singh for the brilliant step.
Dr. Jayaraman Srinivasanmay may wish to note that right at IIS Bangalore we hope to also develop a solar panel that produces gasoline: Ramachandra, T.V., D.M. Mahapatra, Karthick B. & R. Gordon (2009). Milking diatoms for sustainable energy: biochemical engineering vs gasoline secreting diatom solar panels [invited]. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 48(19, Complex Materials II special issue, October), in press. DickGordonCan@gmail.com
This is a great idea to switch dependence on to the solar power. I am thank full that India has taken major initiative in the renewable energy sector. Solar systems should also be used on small level in the houses to help the black out of electricity in several part of the Indian cities and villages.
Hats-up to Mr.Manmohan Singh, our progressive Prime Minister of India and his team for aggressively embarking on a massive renewable energy plan, which is time sensitive. The plan with its schedule, even though may look as a long leap, but would succeed if private players with techno-scientific background are also encouraged liberally by letter and spirit. I am for it, and that is my dream too for India and this world. Vijay Venugopal, P.E; AUG. 04, 2009
Well certainly very ambitious and desirable, but like all previous grandiose schemes like poverty alleviation, health for all etc. etc., likely to come out a cropper
Commendable job by Govt of India. I sincerely hope that the governmant will follow this programme with the same enthusiams as they have announced.
Solar energy without battery storage is unthinkable at the moment. This means every household will have to have in multiples of 70 - 150 AH batteries that will not only emit fumes but also have the possibility of lead and sulphuric acid pollution on the rise to replace CO2 emissions just as plastics, the wonder material has turned out to be. Its like talking about atmospheric pollution in a room filled with chain smokers. There has to be safer battery technology to take on this load and magnitude of going solar. It is not so green after all! If it is a plant, then the storage has to be something else like plasma which is still in its infancy. So there's got to be lot of homework to do before getting too excited about it.
It was a great decission by great Economist to the great nation.
Manmohan Singh's vision is admirable. This plan seems to solve most of the electricity problems in India. But until the expansion plan is studied throughly and validated, success of this expansion remains questionable.
Its very nice and commendable initiative taken by government of India. The project should generate the expected amount of electricity as India is a SUNNY country.Nice initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emission and for providing cleaner and greener energy to Indians.
Bold and a visionary decision taken by the current administration, hope this will be the next big achievement after the so called IT revolution that we see now in India.
K. Sani Mao, May be you are not familiar with the situation in India. Though the issues with pollution and global warming may not be fully solved with this strategy. But it is common nowadays to have inverters in middle class homes in India to tide over power cuts.
A great idea indeed! After hearing from Indian leaders, "it is our turn to contribute to global warming" when asked to help control global warming, it is exciting to see India at aleast attempting to meet the potential it is sitting on. There is no dearth of talent and innovation in India. With the right amount of support, they can do wonders. If it succeeds, this will be the best gift from India to the world - definitely better than the Nano!
The first effort to accelerate solar power generation by FIT of Rs 15/ unit, has resulted very little development of grid interactive solar power in last one and half year. A lot of ambitious plans & programs are declared by different govt and private bodies in last 15 years but without success. The main difficulty is commercial viability in view of high cost of equipments. I think it will be very difficult for the govt to make required subsidy for this huge program to bring the solar generating projects within commercial viability. So what is the source of fund to implement the ambitious plan? Crushing of price of SoG silicon will not bring down the module price as it constitutes 15% of total cost only. The current crush in module price is oversupply and the price of module will increase once the over stock is reduced Nakul Jana
There is a need in India to pursue active research on Solar Energy technology. The major bottleneck in harnessing Sun Energy for power applications is the very high cost of solar cells as also their efficiency being quite low ( around 14-16%). The basic high cost on processing silicon is very high.The thrust has to be on the reduction in cost of cells and increase in efficiency of solar cells. It will be in the fitness of things if the GOI employs funds for research and infrastructure than on providing subsidies. India has a tremendous potential in Solar energy and positive initiatives by the policy makers in GOI and the global leaders will be for the benefit of our planet . Ashok Mattoo Amro Technology P Ltd.,Bangalore- 560048 India
It is good decision by Dr.manmohan Singh and team. India is in need for alternate sources of energy. lets see how the things workout
A right step in the right direction. As mentioned by Dr. Jayaraman Srinivasan, it is 60 years delayed, but better late than never. A few words of caution before we get euphoric about the plans. The Indian Bureaucracy is at best slow to act and normally destructive. One has to wait to see how the plans are translated to action, which will not be until 6 -7 yrs at least. If these plans are to meet their deadlines, the government has to give a free reign and provide funding to private organizations and research labs that lead fundamental research. This will also curb the rampant corruption to quite some extent. On the positive side, like the mills of god, plans in India grinds slow - but sure. Some one mentioned the limitations of current energy storage technology. Lithium based batteries have high weight to energy ratio but have low safety. Again, in a country like India, the onus is on the government to push energy reforms towards better and safer technology. Hope the energy security aspect of the plan is taken seriously by the government. k
It is one of the most welcome changes seen recently. I hope part of the money will be allocated on R&D in the direction of cheaper and more effiecient solar power harvesters as well.