Bharat Ratna awardee CNR Rao pitches for solar power generation

PITHORAGARH (U'KHAND): Bharat Ratna awardee C N R Rao today said that only solar power generation can contribute to power stability in the country in coming years as hydro power generation has its limitations.

Addressing a gathering of students at Almora, Rao said that farmers, domestic consumers and small industries could be beneficiaries of solar power if it draws attention of the policy makers.

He pointed out that the country today needs over 40 lakh megawatts of electricity today while total generation from all means stands at mere 40 thousand megawatts in the country, a big portion of which is lost in line losses.

"The new generation of scientists needs to focus in directions for inventions which could come up as future solution for the coming problems," said Rao said during the BD Pandey Memorial Annual Lecture.

He further said that he wants scientific approach to come into the lives of people residing in backward regions in the country.

The lecture was organised as part of the "Science Outreach" program run by CNR Rao foundation. The programme is run in 12 states of the country and is funded from the prize money which Rao has received in awards from several organizations.