Proper

Abstract

Increasing energy demand together with rising conventional fuel prices and environmental awareness made renewable energy sources very popular in the developing countries like India. Energy is one of the most critical components of infrastructure crucial for the economic growth and welfare of the nation. The term energy means the ability to do the work. Energy is available mainly in two forms:
1- Renewable energy.
2- Non-renewable energy.
The solar energy is a renewable source of energy that is not depleted when used. The word “solar” has created buzz everywhere. Solar power is the conversion of the energy from the sun to usable electricity. The most common source of solar power utilizes photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic utilize a semi-conductor to absorb the radiation from the sun, when the semi-conductor absorbs this radiation it emits electrons, which are harnessed as electricity. Radiant energy from the sun has powered life on earth for many millions of years .Generation of solar energy has very good scope in India. As the geographical location of India favours the condition for generating solar energy. India stretches from 3214km from north to south and 2933km from east to west, measuring a total land area of 32,87,263sq. Km. India being located in northern hemisphere stretches from 8°04’ north latitude in south to 37° 06’ north latitude in north .In eastern hemisphere, India stretches from 68° 07’ east longitude in the west to 97° 25’ east longitude in the east. Due to its location it receives solar radiation throughout the year. Solar energy can be used for direct conversion into electricity (by photovoltaic cells) and into thermal energy. India stands fifth in the world in the production and consumption of electricity. Mainly the power generation in India is mostly from coal, which is a non-renewable source of energy. Mostly 60% population living in Indian villages and of them remains without electricity so there is much more scope in generation of solar energy. Indian States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have great potential for tapping solar energy due to their location. Use of solar energy can reduce the use of coal, fossil fuel and nuclear for generation of electricity. Many large solar projects have been proposed in India, some of them are: i). Kamuthi Solar Power Project, Tamil Nadu, ii). The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launched by the Centre is targeting 20,000 MW of solar energy power by 2022, iii). Sakri Solar Plant, Maharashtra, iv).Welspun Solar MP Project, Madhya Pradesh, v). Dhirubhai Ambani Solar Park, Rajasthan.Upcoming Solar Power Plants in India are 750MW solar power plant in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh, Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, Ananthapuramu Ultra Mega Solar Park, biggest solar power plant in Tamil Nadu, India’s largest solar park in Rajasthan, Reliance Group to develop more solar park in Rajasthan and also Karnataka to set up world’s biggest solar park. Thus, India has huge scope for generation of Solar Energy which helps in fulfill not only the dependency on limited source of power generation but also contributes largely in Clean and Green energy.