Environment & Society

We can still save our planet

Sources of energy can be classified as renewable and non-renewable. In todays
world, non-renewable sources of energy are far more popular and constitute 85% of
the worlds energy consumption.
A ticking time-bomb
Unfortunately, our planets resources are limited and by exploiting them relentlessly, we
endanger both its future and our future as well. Energy sources such as natural gas,
oil, coal, petrol and diesel are being consumed at an exponential rate today. Apart from
the depletion of our planets finite resources, these forms of energy have other ill
effects as well. On combustion, they release poisonous fumes into the air, endangering
both the environment and our health. To ensure the safety of our planet, we need to
switch to renewable or greener sources of energy.
How do we still save the planet for our children?
Renewable sources of energy include solar, water (hydroelectricity), biomass and wind.
However, not all these sources are viable. In the case of wind energy, windmills can
only be set up in places with high wind speeds. Coal-based thermal plants constitute
more than half of Indias generating capacity but our coal reserves will not last forever.
The potential for further growth of hydroelectricity is also limited because it is site-
specific and because of the rehabilitation and resettlement issues of large number of
people displaced by large scale hydro power projects.
The Sun - endless and bountiful
In view of the above, the most viable energy option in the long run is the Sun. Solar
energy is the most abundant, freely and universally available and perpetual form of
energy.
1. Solar energy is clean energy in that it emits no effluents or pollutants into the
atmosphere unlike the thermal energy obtained by the burning of coal.
2. Solar energy is free. The Sun does not send us a monthly bill for the use we
make of its light and heat. (Is that why we have not paid attention to it?)
3. Solar energy is forever. Unlike fossil fuels, whose stocks are getting depleted
everyday without being replenished and which we will exhaust completely
within a few decades (unless fresh sources are discovered in the meanwhile).
4. Solar energy is abundantly available in India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,
the country is blessed with an abundance of sunny days.
5. Solar energy is modular and scalable. We can have a lantern or a home
lighting system of a few watts to megawatt size solar power plants. We can
add more power by simply adding more PV modules.
6. Solar energy can be generated at the point of use, in which case there is no
loss in transmission and distribution (T & D). In India, the T&D losses in the
case of conventional electricity account for as much as 30% of the actual
production. This problem can be obviated by setting up PV panels on rooftops
of buildings, minimizing T&D losses as well as by setting up village level solar
power plants or plants close to the point of use.
7. Solar energy technology is simple and quickly implementable requiring no or
low gestation period.
8. There are no rehabilitation issues related to solar power projects as are seen
in the case of mega power projects. No need to displace people from their
homes and villages. On the contrary every home becomes a solar power
producer by setting up a set of PV panels on its rooftop.
9. While wind energy is limited by geographical locations and can be generated
only where wind in good speed is available, solar energy can be generated
everywhere, where sunshine is available. The minimum size for a wind energy
project is such that it does not lend itself to generation at the level of
individuals. Not so with solar energy which can be generated on everyones
rooftop or wherever open, shadow-free area is available.
10. Solar power projects require virtually no maintenance or very little
maintenance.. Unlike turbines in wind and hydel projects, there are no moving
parts in solar PV power projects. Since there are no moving parts and no
inputs required such as oil, coal or gas or even water, solar PV projects have
a long shelf life.