India recently acquired fifth position worldwide in the solar power placement surpassing Italy. Boosting its solar power by more than 11 times in just half a decade from 2.6 GW 2014 to 30 GW 2019, it has claimed to achieve the grid parity (using subsidies).
Grid Parity is attained when the cost of producing electricity from alternative sources of electricity like renewables is same as that of conventional sources like coal (thermal), large hydroelectric etc. In other words, generating electricity through renewables comes at a competitive rate to thermal power generation.
This may, in the long run, help consumers to opt for a diversified mix of energy options.
By the end of 2022, the country has aimed to realize at least 175 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, which will be further increased to 500 GW by 2050.
Similarly, the installed solar energy capacity has increased a staggering 17 times in the last 7 years, standing currently at 49.4 GW. And an additional outlay of 19500 crores for solar module production in the Union Budget 2022 under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, makes it all merrier.
But that is all about the industry and its consumers, what about the other benefits Solar energy has endured to provide, though indirectly?
Solar Energy and promotion to Education:
While there may be countless researches with proven benefits of Solar in industrial sector, but this brightening energy access can lessen the inability of the unprivileged who still do not have access to on-grid electricity, despite the Government’s serious attempts.
The stored solar energy has enabled many studying under the street lights or the oil-filled lamp that emits smoke and causes irritation in the little ones’ eyes, to avail some brightness even in dark nights.
Similarly, the schools sustaining on dearth of enough funds in rural areas, can alternatively opt for locally sourced solar- powered generators to provide electricity, especially in the warming world, where kids may even find it difficult to concentrate without fans in classrooms.
At times, the solar infrastructure becomes a catalyst for people to improve and upscale their livelihoods.
“I could work in the solar park if I was educated – I could manage files in the office or do their accounts. I have to study or I will be stuck in household work all my life. How can they hire us if we can’t read or write?” one of the young women explains her eagerness to work at Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan.
According to the information collated by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Bhadla has the world’s best solar farm capacity standing at 2,300 MW.
With a visible difference at a remote village, education has become a new priority with girls finding it more exciting than grazing their cattle on the fields now secured for solar park infrastructure.
Paired with greater assistance (monetary as well as functional) provided by the operating firm (in case) under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), this untapped youth potential can weave wonders.
Shall we be cautious of something in this brighter run?
While the country can boast of lesser emissions, cleaner air and achievement of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with gradual powering of its economy using solar and Renewables, there is a lot that reveals a concerning side of this race.
Solar Energy and the struggle for Green Justice:
While establishing a solar park, those largely impacted are rather left uninformed in depth and are told to feel blessed that their unproductive lands get chosen for yielding benefits.
An expert explains: “Communities impacted by solar parks are rarely consulted or informed about the plan or its impact. Governments say there is a partnership between them and the communities. But on the ground, it is not an equal partnership, which is why people are either protesting or petitioning for more”.
The problem comes when the respective governments (Central or state) and big private players have begun to envisage the Renewable sector in exactly the same way as dirty energy, leading to different problems and gross injustice.
There is barely any EIA conducted for such lands. But there are various adverse impacts like habitat loss, shifts in land use pattern, stress on water resources, waste from obsolete PVs etc.
Solar parks in general need 7,000–20,000 litres of water for regular cleaning of Solar panels. Also, towards their end life, solar cells may discharge toxic chemicals if not treated and disposed carefully.
A Renewable Energy cannot be termed as clean and given blanket protection from necessary scrutiny. All that needs is not sheer discouragement, rather a balanced view of future needs and that of the present.
These do not create negative sentiments for generating solar power overall, yet are inhibiting sustainable growth in broader ways and need to be addressed.