Solar Power- Opening door to Green Energy

Solar Power- Opening door to Green Energy

The relevance of solar energy and its abundance seems to be among the best solutions for power generation.  As energy needs increase due to rapid economic development, the ability to meet that unprecedented demand becomes extremely problematic. Our existing sources of energy using conventional sources of electricity, DG (Diesel Generator) backed power and fossil fuel fired sources are increasingly a short term fix rather than a long term solution. The world’s reserve of fossil fuels will be depleted within 100 years.   In the wake of accidents like Fukushima in Japan, the risk of nuclear energy also emerges as a problem.

The demand for green energy has become increasingly prevalent.  As conventional and non- renewable sources become unviable, we need to constantly evolve our technologies and policies that support ecologically sustainable sources of power. The only viable solution is renewable energy that has little impact on the carbon footprint.  Solar energy is a long term bet that not just technologists and energy experts are backing, but so are policy makers and governments across the globe. In addition to solar power plants that can power homes, businesses and campuses, the market has seen an advent of products centered around solar energy viz.  home lighting systems, street lighting and lanterns.

Photo Voltaic Plants – An Emerging trend 

A solar plant consists of large number of solar panels which convert solar energy to electrical energy using photovoltaics (PV).  A decade ago, the installation of a mega watt power plant was unimaginable as the cost of Rs 35 crores and technical expertise stood as hurdles. The threats of global warming and climate change are being countered by a mushrooming of mega watt solar power plants all over the world. The 97 MW Sarnia Photovoltaic Power Plant in Canada, is the world’s largest photovoltaic plant.  Spain is the fourth largest manufacturer in the world of solar power.  Germany is one of the world's top photovoltaics (PV) installers, with a solar PV capacity as of May 2011 of more than 18,000 megawatts (MW).

Until the MACFSAT 30KW installation, a solar plant of a capacity 25 KW in Trivandrum was the largest in Kerala. The 4.65 billion rupee ($95 million) project in Gujarat state, which uses thin-film panels supplied by First Solar Inc. (FSLR), DuPont Co., and Moser Baer, has a capacity of 30 megawatts, is the biggest solar power plant in India. It will generate 52 million kilowatt-hours or enough electricity for 50,000 homes per day. Adani Power Ltd (APL) would commission its 40-megawatt (Mw) photovoltaic solar project at Bitta village, near Abdasa, in Kutch district of Gujarat by the end of this financial year. The 5-megawatt solar plant at Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu is another major solar project. The plant, with a capacity of 8 million units of power a year, is expected to curtail the production of approximately 6,600 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions annually. The 3 MW power plant in Kolar, Karnataka, consists of 13, 300 solar panels for which the Karnataka Power Corporation invested 59 crores. Another. Altogether the solar plants in Kolar will avoid emissions of 45000 tons of Co2 every year. The Government of Gujarath plans for an ‘integrated Solar City’ with a capacity of 5 gigawatts. The facility is expected to cost Rs 200-billion (approximately $475-million) 

Many private companies are showing an interest in solar power generation. L&T is investigating the setting up of a 400 MW photo voltaic plant in Surat at a cost of around 1200 crores.  Torrent in Ahmadabad is discussing the installation of a 675 MW installation requiring 3500 crores of investment and 246 acres of land. Eco Energy Company has already brought 120 hectares of land in Rajasthan to set up a 25 MW solar plant.  

A model initiative from Kerala – MACFAST Tiruvalla

MACFAST, Tiruvalla is the largest in Kerala (35 KW), produces around 45,000 units of electricity (kilowatt hours) each year. MACFAST emerged as a model institution by investing approximately Rs 75 lakhs for this project includes subsidy of 24 lakhs from ANERT.  This project is significant not only in terms of its size and technical attributes, but also in terms of its demonstration to the community the ease with which solar generated power can be installed by small and medium enterprises for their financial and operational benefit, and for the wider ecological benefits to society.  This achievement by a postgraduate college producing the next generation of community and business leaders provides a model to these students on how to participate fully in the global economy in providing eco-friendly solutions to the problems faced in this rapidly developing country.  India is uniquely positioned to supply low cost, high technology solutions to advancing the quality of life of the world’s population, on a sustainable basis.

Moreover, Keralites, with their high levels of education and diaspora in different parts of the world can bring together the various elements of expertise to create trendsetting solutions.  In this case of the solar power installation at MACFAST, Malayali expertise was drawn from Australia (solar technology software and sourcing of the aluminium frames and struts), Thailand (design and manufacture of the invertors – high technology hardware) and Hyderabad from where Radiant Solar coordinated the project and manufactured the solar panels.  

Clean and Green Energy for a sustainable future

The Government of India has recently launched the ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission which aims to promote the development and use of solar energy for power generation and other uses in the country. The Solar Mission will be implemented in three stages leading up to an installed capacity of 20,000 MW by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan in 2022.  It is very hopeful to observe that the cost of solar energy is now reduced 17 crore/MW, that will catalyse the green energy use. While connecting to the grid producer will get Rs. 17.91/unit that includes the allowance of central Government.   

Photo voltaic cell can be set up in the premises of producer that will help to reduce loss through transmission.  The geography of Northern Kerala consists of hard rocks is very suitable for the setting up of solar plants. Solar panels can be made either as floating panels in large water reservoirs like lakes or can be tightened in strong pillars.  An additional advantage of the floating panel is, it diminishes rate of evaporation. 

There is an immense lack of information and understanding of the value and potential of solar energy not only on a macro scale but also on a micro scale.  The MACFAST installation demonstrates the feasibility for small and medium enterprises with very low capital resources.  Institutions such as ANERT (Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology) provide all the technical support for the installation of solar power plants and various banks are providing loans with reduced interest rates through NABARD. All that is required from individuals and organizations is an awareness and will to switch from unsustainable to sustainable sources of power, and solar energy is now easily accessible, efficient and effective – self provision of electricity has enormous benefits to the user and society as a whole. 

(Prepared by Ajith kumar C.T (Joint Technical Director-ANERT), Dr. Judith Hollows, Director, MACFSAT and Paul V Mathew, Project Officer, Clean and Green City Project)

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