Study says solar radiation available for producing power falling in India

Last Updated29/04/2024

India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests quantity of solar radiation available in several locations in India that can be economically converted by solar panels to electricity is showing an “alarming decreasing trend”.

The role of aerosols in blocking sunlight available on earth has been apparent since the 1980s, several studies have shown that there are variations both over time and location.
Global solar radiation showed a generally decreasing trend from 1981-2006. 1971-2000 showed greater dimming compared to 1981-2006.
- However, on the whole, there was a reversal in trends after 2001 with the exact causes unclear.
SPV potential which is the amount of radiation practically available to be converted to electricity by panels, showed a general decline in the studied stations.
India’s largest solar parks particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan are also showing a decrease in SPV potential.
As of today, India’s installed solar power capacity is about 81 GW (1 GW is 1,000 megawatt), or roughly 17% of the total installed electricity.

Increased aerosol load-
- Fine particles from carbon emissions, fossil fuel burning, dust and clouding are said to be causative factors
Aerosols absorb the sunlight and deflect it away from the ground and they can also precipitate the formation of dense clouds that again block sunlight.
- The efficiency of solar panels are significantly influenced by the amount of sunlight falling on them.

India has ambitious plans of sourcing about 500 GW, nearly half its requirement of electricity, from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
This suggest at least 280 GW from solar power by that year or at least 40 GW of solar capacity being annually added until 2030.
- However, In the last five years, solar capacity has barely crossed 13 GW.
Earlier this year the government also announced a major initiative to fund rooftop solar installation in at least one crore houses across the country.