Rooftop solar for poverty alleviation

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Energy: Renewable Solar Energy

Source: BS

  Context: A new white paper proposes a scheme for rooftop solar photovoltaics (RTPV) for poverty alleviation.

Significance of RTPV for poverty alleviation in India:

• Access to Electricity: Solar energy can provide access to electricity in remote areas that are not connected to the power grid, thus improving the quality of life for people living in poverty.
  • In China, RTPV is one of the identified 10 initiatives rolled out by the government to lift rural households out of poverty.
• Cost Savings: For people living in poverty, who spend a significant portion of their income on energy, solar energy can help reduce their energy bills and save money.
• Job Creation: at the lower and middle level
• Improved Health: Solar energy can help reduce indoor air pollution and improve the health of people living in poverty.
• Climate Change Mitigation

Limitations:

• High initial cost: Currently, the rooftop-subsidy programmes run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy require consumers to bear about 60 per cent of the costs.
• Roof Availability: For many poor, having roof space is a luxury.
• Dependence on Weather: In areas with low sunlight, or during monsoon season, solar energy production may be limited, which can be a challenge for those relying on it for electricity.
• Maintenance: Solar panels require regular maintenance, which can be a challenge for people living in poverty who may not have the resources or knowledge to maintain them.
• Implementation issues: India had achievedjust 7.9 GW of installed rooftop solar capacity as of June 2022 (against a previous target of 40 GW by 2022).

Government measures:

• National level:
  • The government has extended the timeline for achieving its target of 40000 MW (40 GW) rooftop solar (RTS) capacity addition, by March 2026.
    • Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana statesare leading the way
  • Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Scheme
  • Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM): for grid-connected Renewable Energy power plants/Solar water pumps/grid-connected agriculture pumps)
  • National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018::To provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems
  • Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY, 2016): for the installation of solar street lighting (SSL) systems in states with less than 50% of households covered with grid power
  • National Solar Mission(a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change)
  • Surya Mitra Skill Development Programme:To provide skill training to rural youth in handling solar installations.
• International Level:
  • International Solar Alliance:
  • One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG): a framework for facilitating global cooperation, for interconnected renewable energy resources

What is the proposed scheme for RPTVs?

The report proposes a Central government-sponsored scheme in the field of RTPV. It could be called Sooraj Se Rozgaari.

• Under the proposed scheme, IREDA will purchase RTPV modules in bulk and transfer them to states at a cheaper cost. Low-income households do not have to pay for any share of the costs of RTPV installation and maintenance. Social/institutional/small businesses bear 80 per cent of the costs, and households with regular incomes bear 60 per cent.

Insta Links:

 Solar Energy

Mains Links

How can rooftop solar energy projects offer an opportunity for India to meet its emission reduction targets and poverty reduction? Comment.(15M)

Prelims links: