Adopt Solar Energy - it's time !

Human civilizations in all form have worshiped the sun in some form or the other. In fact, our proximity to the sun is one of the primary reasons why life spawned on this planet. Sun continues to be our primary source of energy and the biggest form of natural energy.

However, in man's race for technological advancement, he seems to have sidelined this very important fact. We started relying on a different form of energy, namely fossil fuels in order to fulfill our daily needs. This was one of the first ways in which we started disturbing our environment. Not only did we start filling the atmosphere with pollutants, but we also started depleting the non-renewable resources provided by nature at an extremely rapid rate. Consider the fact that the amount of fossil fuels that the world has consumed over the last 400 years is almost equal to the amount of fossil fuels generated over a period of millions of years. Why do we continue to be the only unproductive species on this planet - adding millions like us to the planet and giving nothing back in return ?

Now, we stare at a situation where the world is grappling for whatever is left of these fossil fuel reserves - be it coal, natural gas or mineral oil. Estimates suggest that we will deplete all form of mineral oil reserves by the end of this century. The gradual shortening of fuel supplies is already shooting fuel prices up to the sky and burning the common man's pockets. We are rapidly running towards a dead end !

Fortunately, there is still time before we reach this scenario. There are non-exhaustive sources of energy ( and non-polluting too) which is available around us in abundance - the energy of solar radiation. It is high time we started using this as a strong alternative to our rapidly dying fossil fuel reserves. We already satisfy our bodily energy intake by indirectly consuming solar energy - plants tap solar energy via photosynthesis to create carbohydrates and other nutrients. Why don't we take this one step further and use the same form of energy to drive our needs of transportation, lighting and entertainment ?

Fortunately, most nations have realized the importance of this call and have started making efforts in satisfying their energy needs via solar energy.

Now, for some stats:

Current energy requirements of India - 159 GW

Energy requirements by 2030 - 965 GW

Potential capacity of solar power generation in india - 2100 GW

Useful links:

http://www.solarpanels.in/is-solar-electricty-viable.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_India

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/india/Full.html

http://mnre.gov.in

Although we should try to understand how developed countries are adopting the renewable energy model, we don't necessarily need to emulate them. India's energy requirements have shaped up in a manner very different from the already developed world. While the developed world tries to experiment with the approach of photovoltaic power generation plants at high cost of production, we could do something something indigenous and innovative.

Solar cookers - this is a non-glamourous product out in the market but has been a quality tested approach to our day to day cooking needs. It is a cheap and non-polluting alternative to our LPG based pressure cookers or the desi sigris that people use in villages. A solar cooker costs approximately Rs. 2000/- which is about the same as a decent mobile phone.

Solar water heaters - this is a more popular option that people have started adopting only slowly. People can save large chunks of their electricity bill by installing solar water heaters on their rooftops. This works even better if you are in a cooperative housing society as you have greater area to expose to the sun.

Solar lanterns - extremely viable option for people with no access to electricity. You can charge this during the day and utilise it overnight.

Solar panels on rooftops - this is one of the most practical solutions recommended by experts. A one-time installation of this setup can cost you upto 20,000/- but works out cheaper after you apply government subsidies and go for a group investment, as in the case of cooperative housing societies. This setup can be especially handy to sail you through the dreadful summer - the sun itself would provide you power to rotate the fans in your homes and proves useful during power cuts.

Of course, as technological refinements and industry-size solutions shape up, our large-scale dependencies on fossil fuels will gradually decrease. But from a domestic front, we can set an example to the world and our very own government that we do not need to rely blindly on the traditional electricity supply anymore.

Watch out for more articles in this space.

Disclaimer: The above opinion is based on facts that are constantly subject to change. Please feel free to reply with disagreements or suggestions, if any.