Global perspective onsolar energy and imperatives for India taking the global leadership:A technology perspective with focus on India’s energy needs

Abstract

Solar energy is poised for big developments across the globe and the next decade will see several technological breakthroughs to make solar a viable option. In emerging economies like India and China, growing demand for energy, dwindling resources of fossil fuels and climate change challenges will make solar an inevitable option. A tropical country like India with abundant solar radiations is rightly poised to take a global leadership in this field. The paper gives a detailed account on the various options for exploration of solar energy including solar photovoltaic and solar thermal. The paper also focuses on importance of distributed energy generation as well as combined heat, power and cold energy cycles. A three pronged comprehensive strategy for solar is presented along with need for building direct conversion of solar energy into cooling/heating/desalination applications. Importance of building manufacturing clusters for components which are critical to solar technologies across the country is also emphasized in the paper.