Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.

1. Target of 450 GW Renewable Energy by 2030 → 280 GW = Solar Energy (S.E)
2. National Solar Mission - 100 GW SE by 2022
   • 40 GW (Rooftop)
   • 60 GW (Solar Cell)

Present Status 110 GW R.E ↓ ~ 45 GW Solar Energy ~ < 5 GW (Rooftop) ← 40 GW (Solar Cells)

1. Rooftop Solar Scheme to incentivize households
2. PM-KUSUM to encourage farmers to use Solar pumps
3. Make in India and PLI Scheme to boost indigenous battery and solar components.
4. Development of Solar Parks, Floating Solar Plants
5. One Sun One World One Grid initiative
6. Hybridization of Power Feed and mandatory purchase by DISCOMS with incentives.

However, solar energy lately has attracted a lot of backlash due to its hidden ecological and social cost. Some are discussed below: (1) Large solar projects interfere in ecosystems leading to loss of habitat and alterations. (2) Floating solar plants pose threat to aquatic ecosystem.

• ex:- savanna ecosystems sensitive to solar farms.

(3) Need of Batteries to store energy leads to unsustainable means of production, over exploitation of resources and chemical pollution. (4) Solar components contribute to e-waste and unsafe disposals. (5) Policy Inconsistency related to Feed in tariff system causes loss to DISCOMS. (6) Supply chain issues and over reliance on imports. (7) Loss of employment for unskilled workers in traditional mining industries. (8) Huge cost of installation and may cause drastic changes to land use patterns.