'India should access tech for tapping solar energy'
India must move quickly to create large-scale capacities for solar grade silicon, the main constituent of solar cells, to realise its renewable energy plans and combat power shortage.
By Indra Bhadra, TNN |
MUMBAI: India must move quickly to create large-scale capacities for solar grade silicon, the main constituent of solar cells, to realise its renewable energy plans and combat power shortage, a leading expert has said. The country is now deficient in power to the extent of 25,000 mw. Worried over the environmental impact of fossil fuel-fired power plants, many countries have started ramping up their solar power-generation capacity.
India should take this opportunity to access technology and set up four to five poly silicon plants with an annual capacity of about 3,000 tonne, which could help generate 1,000 to 1,200 mw solar power every year, says MRLN Murthy, a UNIDO consultant on solar energy and a honorary scientific consultant to the government���s principal scientific adviser.
India should stop depending on waste silicon coming from the semiconductor industry, he says. China has already set up poly silicon plants and may well forge ahead as the top generator of solar power. International Energy Foundation experts have indicated that by 2050, a sizeable chunk of power-generation would be done by nuclear and renewable energy sources, especially solar energy.
���India, a tropical country endowed with abundant solar radiation, has a very high potential for exploiting this eco-friendly energy,��� says Mr Murthy.
The demand for solar energy is increasing at the rate of 30% annually around the globe and about 50-60% for grid-connected solar power. Japan, Germany and the US have started programmes to install solar roof tops in a big way.
However, silicon is in short supply.
India should take this opportunity to access technology and set up four to five poly silicon plants with an annual capacity of about 3,000 tonne, which could help generate 1,000 to 1,200 mw solar power every year, says MRLN Murthy, a UNIDO consultant on solar energy and a honorary scientific consultant to the government���s principal scientific adviser.
India should stop depending on waste silicon coming from the semiconductor industry, he says. China has already set up poly silicon plants and may well forge ahead as the top generator of solar power. International Energy Foundation experts have indicated that by 2050, a sizeable chunk of power-generation would be done by nuclear and renewable energy sources, especially solar energy.
���India, a tropical country endowed with abundant solar radiation, has a very high potential for exploiting this eco-friendly energy,��� says Mr Murthy.
The demand for solar energy is increasing at the rate of 30% annually around the globe and about 50-60% for grid-connected solar power. Japan, Germany and the US have started programmes to install solar roof tops in a big way.
However, silicon is in short supply.
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Several Indian solar energy companies had to curtail their production due to paucity of silicon wafers (most of the solar wafers are imported since indigenous solar wafer production is insignificant) due to worldwide shortage of feedstock ��� solar grade silicon. Many have been forced to shelve their expansion plans, too.Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
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