Skip to main content

Power crisis: Indian policy makers 'failing' to repose faith in roof-top solar systems

By Shankar Sharma* 

A numerous reports /studies/ articles on the true relevance of roof-top solar PV systems or SPVs are appearing in the international media (click here, here and here). There is an ever increasing techno-economic confidence level that the roof-top SPVs can meet most, if not all, of the electricity needs of the entire world. It is certainly so in the case of our country, where the per capita consumption/need of our households is very low.
The same should be true for all the developing countries. If the associated policies/ tariffs are innovatively implemented along with the other three enabling policy measures viz high efficiency, demand side management and energy conservation, the roof-top SPVs can meet can also reduce the demand on other energy needs such as transportation, heating and cooling, public lighting, small size motive power, agricultural pump sets and dryers, etc. 
 In summary, it will not be an exaggeration to state that the roof-top SPVs can meet more than 50% of the total energy needs of the world. But it is sad that our policy makers seem to be unaware of this enormous potential, and are favoring large size land based solar power parks at unacceptable costs to the society.
Without diligently considering various associated costs/risks/opposition to coal power reliance, the Union government is also refusing to take a rational approach to its energy demand/supply scenario for the future, and is continuing to commit our country for the next four more decades of humongous costs of coal power reliance; against all sane advises.
The chaotic policy regime in the energy sector should be evident in the recent direction of the Union government for coal power plants to go for 10% imported coal, whereas only a few months ago the same government had indicated its goal to stop importing coal.
One one hand it is being claimed that there is no shortage of coal in the country from domestic sources, but on the other hand there is a mandate for the import of coal. All these while growing concerns are being reported from across the country on coal shortage and looming power supply crises.
Our leaders have no inclination to consider various costs to our society because of over reliance on coal power
Where is the rationale for continuing with our over-reliance on coal power supply; least at a time when there are global calls for moving from all kinds of fossil fuel sources; and to move completely away from coal power?
If our leaders have no inclination to consider various costs to our society because of the over reliance on coal power from economic and environmental perspectives, they must consider at least the health issue for our communities. The 10 recommendations in the COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health include a set of priority actions from the global health community to governments and policy makers, calling on them to act with urgency on the current climate and health crises.
Will some one in the Union government muster enough courage to raise the associated health issues of coal power sector for their own families, children and grand children, if not for the whole country; because the associated issues will impact everyone?
A recent "Guardian" article has screamed: ‘Green growth’ doesn’t exist – less of everything is the only way to avert catastrophe'. There can be no option for the global community other than to minimise the total demand for all kinds of materials and energy in order to avert climate catastrophe.
---
*Power and climate policy analyst, Vijayanagar 1st stage, Sagara, Karnataka

Comments

TRENDING

'Very low rung in quality ladder': Critique of ICMR study on 'sudden deaths' post-2021

By Bhaskaran Raman*  Since about mid-2021, a new phenomenon of extreme concern has been observed throughout the world, including India : unexplained sudden deaths of seemingly healthy and active people, especially youngsters. In the recently concluded Navratri garba celebrations, an unprecedented number of young persons succumbed to heart attack deaths. After a long delay, ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) has finally has published a case-control study on sudden deaths among Indians of age 18-45.

SC 'appears to foster' culture of secrecy, does not seek electoral bond details from SBI

By Rosamma Thomas*  In its order of November 2, 2023 on the case of Association for Democratic Reforms vs Union of India contesting constitutional validity of electoral bonds, the Supreme Court directed all political parties to give particulars of the bonds received by them in sealed covers to the Election Commission of India. SC sought that information be updated until September 2023. 

How national chauvinism 'overtook' sport despite cricketing glory of World Cup 2023

By Harsh Thakor*  The recently-concluded cricket World Cup was a testimony or manifestation of the thrills, intensity, twists and turns in sport and evolution of the game of cricket. It carried on the trend of the World Cups of yesteryears. Possibly, this was the best ever Indian team in a World Cup, and arguably amongst the best ever to contest a World Cup.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Only 12% of schools RTE compliant: Whither 6% budgetary allocation for education?

By Ambarish Rai* Despite Indian state’s commitment of 6% GDP on education, the Finance Minister completely ignored right to education for children and strengthening implementation of RTE Act which makes education a fundamental right in her budget speech . The Right to Education (RTE) Forum, which is a collective of different stakeholders in education, condemns this neglect of a legal entitlement, which is unconstitutional and demand for overall increase in the budget to ensure improvement in learning outcomes and overall enhancement of quality education.

Savarkar in Ahmedabad 'declared' two-nation theory in 1937, Jinnah followed 3 years later

By Our Representative One of the top freedom fighters whom BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi revere the most, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, was also a great supporter of the two nation theory for India, one for Hindus another for Muslims, claims a new expose on the man who is also known to be the original proponent of the concept of Hindutva.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

'Ambiguous policy': India late in advocating EVs as energy storage in national grid

By Shankar Sharma*  This is regarding the points raised by the Chief Electricity Authority’s (CEA's) advocacy for usage of electrical vehicles (EVs) as energy storage technology, and few associated issues . An objective reading of what he states should reiterate the enormously growing importance of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in our need to transition to a net-zero carbon scenario for the country.

Union Health Ministry, FSSAI 'fail to respond' to NHRC directive on packaged food

By Our Representative  The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the adverse health effects caused by packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats. Recognizing it as a violation of the Right to Life and Right to Health of Indian citizens, the quasi-judicial body called for a response from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding its selection of front-of-pack labels aimed at providing consumers with information to make healthier choices.