There is no reason why we should not tap the infinite, inexhaustible, clean and green solar energy as a renewable source of power as solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems.
When was solar power discovered? Solar energy was used by humans as early as the 7th century BC when sunlight was used to light fires by reflecting the sun’s rays onto shiny objects. Later, in the 3rd century BC, the Greeks and Romans harnessed solar power with mirrors to light torches for religious ceremonies.
In 1839 and at the age of 19, French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic (PV) effect while experimenting with a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution. He noted that the cell produced more electricity when it was exposed to light – it was a photovoltaic cell.
In 1954 PV technology was born when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon PV cell at Bell Labs– the first solar cell capable of absorbing and converting enough of the sun's energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment. Today satellites, spacecraft orbiting Earth, are powered by solar energy.
The National Solar Mission is an initiative of the government of India and State governments to promote solar power in India started in January 2010. The mission had projected initially 20 GW for a five-year plan but subsequently in 2015 the new Government after taking over revised the entire plan to project an ambitious and extra ordinary ambitious 100 GW by 2022 in a three phases. The objective of NSM is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy by creating the policy condition for its deployment across the country. Each phase is supported by differing key policies and targets for both ‘On Grid’ as well as ‘Off Grid’ installations.
We are planning to achieve 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. Although a wide variety of renewable technologies are available, each with their unique advantages, solar energy in particular has emerged as the technology of choice that can play a key role in driving energy access, energy security and energy transition. Through a report published on ‘Roadmap of Solar Energy for Universal Energy Access’, developed under India’s G20 presidency in 2023, we aim to showcase how solar energy, in its various configurations, can play a key role in achieving electricity access and in providing socio-economic benefits in countries around the world.
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has conveyed guidelines to all the States facilitating their individual participation in achieving the goals of NSM and as far as Goa is concerned, an average of 150 MW target has been assigned for the period of 2015-22. Goa Energy Development Agency's (GEDA) latest estimate puts the State's total installed solar rooftop power capacity at around 55 megawatt-peak (MWp). Of this, solar power generated by the industrial segment is the highest at 28.52 MWp, followed by the commercial segment at 13.22 MWp. The rest is contributed by domestic rooftop installations by prosumers (producing consumers).
With Goa having an abundance of sunlight throughout the year in the range of 260-280 sunny days with the minimum of 4.5 SPH (Sun Peak Hours) averaged for 365 days, it’s one of the best solar policy in the country offering 50% subsidy including State and Central contributions. Power dependability on other States will reduce. The recently launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are all the advantages and supportive factors for Goans to opt for going for rooftop solar power plants with ease compared to other States in the country. Although we do not produce a single unit of Electricity on our own, Goa has the least tariff in the country and ROI for solar plant installations take more time for breakeven. It is because of this factor that the State government has incentivised the State Solar Policy by offering substantial subsidies.
(The writer, having experience of 26 years in marine engineering and shipbuilding industry before voluntarily retiring as General Manager (Operations) is the CEO of Rainbow Solar Power Solutions in Goa for the last eight years)
