http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2746594.cms
At the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) last week in Abu Dhabi, solar power was a key topic in the deliberations. India does need to be far more proactive in the policy domain so as to boost research, design and development (RD&D ) in the field. It could have huge payoffs and returns.
Already, technological trends suggest that power derived from solar energy could have “grid-parity” in terms of costs, within five years. Taking into account the fact that solar power is thoroughly ‘green’ and environmentally benign; the overall costs would be all the more attractive vis-à-vis power from fossil fuels. Solar power remains costly but sustained technical change and efficiency improvement is expected to make it progressively cost-competitive with conventional power. Hence, the need for R&D focus.
The current power efficiency levels in regular photovoltaic (PV) panels is just about 14%. However, better designed PV systems are now expected to have efficiency ratios in the 21-25 % range soon. And the medium-term objective for leading international solar power producers appears to be to touch 30-35 % efficiency levels, thus achieving grid-parity in terms of costs (and prices). Estimates suggest that global installed capacity for PV systems has annual growth rates of about 50%. It implies ample scope for economies of scale and reduction in costs.
We have abundance of solar energy and can certainly develop the technology to tap this resource. The doubts about its harnessing are the same that existed at the dawn of the last century about the future of aviation. It is only a matter of time before we become self sufficient in our energy needs through this clean source.
At the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) last week in Abu Dhabi, solar power was a key topic in the deliberations. India does need to be far more proactive in the policy domain so as to boost research, design and development (RD&D ) in the field. It could have huge payoffs and returns.
Already, technological trends suggest that power derived from solar energy could have “grid-parity” in terms of costs, within five years. Taking into account the fact that solar power is thoroughly ‘green’ and environmentally benign; the overall costs would be all the more attractive vis-à-vis power from fossil fuels. Solar power remains costly but sustained technical change and efficiency improvement is expected to make it progressively cost-competitive with conventional power. Hence, the need for R&D focus.
The current power efficiency levels in regular photovoltaic (PV) panels is just about 14%. However, better designed PV systems are now expected to have efficiency ratios in the 21-25 % range soon. And the medium-term objective for leading international solar power producers appears to be to touch 30-35 % efficiency levels, thus achieving grid-parity in terms of costs (and prices). Estimates suggest that global installed capacity for PV systems has annual growth rates of about 50%. It implies ample scope for economies of scale and reduction in costs.
We have abundance of solar energy and can certainly develop the technology to tap this resource. The doubts about its harnessing are the same that existed at the dawn of the last century about the future of aviation. It is only a matter of time before we become self sufficient in our energy needs through this clean source.
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