Given its pollution-free nature, virtually inexhaustible supply of light and warmth, and a remarkable global distribution—solar energy is an apposite and attractive energy resource; more so for India as the country is blessed with abundant sunlight for most parts of the year. In this context, Harun Trikha examines the growth of solar energy in India as the Government of India has set an ambitious target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar power. While the cumulative solar energy capacity installed in India so far is encouraging, there are certain grey areas brought to light by the author that need to be addressed if India is to effectively make the most of this wonderful energy resource.
Human beings have been fascinated with celestial bodies from the beginning of civilization; their movements and the configuration of constellations find a predominant mention in religious pantheons across civilizations. One celestial body finds prominence amongst all others, a magnificent star and powerhouse of light and energy—our solar system’s Sun. It is an inexhaustible source of light, warmth, and nourishment. Not only has it inspired awe and fear throughout history but has also motivated the necessary advances that have been made in the field of renewable energy.
Allure and Aura of the Sun
The sun has been venerated in some form or the other by nearly all civilizations, finding eminence amongst the ancient Egyptian, Indus Valley, Indo-European, Sumerian, Greek, Akkadian, Persian, Roman, and Pre-Columbian American civilizations, such as the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. The famous sun temples at Karnak (Egypt) and Konark (India), as examples of architectural brilliance, and Stonehenge, as an ancient observatory, are but examples of awe, wonder, and mystique that human beings have always felt towards the sun.
Solar Energy: Bastion of Inexhaustible Clean Energy
The sun is a powerhouse of energy, which is emitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation that the Earth receives as heat and light; this ‘life engine’ has incessantly enabled life to flourish on Earth by making all physical, chemical, and biological processes feasible. Solar energy is an inexhaustible renewable source of energy, the harnessing of which produces negligible environmental pollution.
This story is from the September 2017 edition of TerraGreen.
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This story is from the September 2017 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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