http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/renew/solar.

htm
Solar energy is the most readily available source of energy. It does not belong to anybody and is,
therefore, free. It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is nonpolluting and, therefore, helps in lessening the greenhouse effect.
Solar energy has been used since prehistoric times, but in a most primitive manner. Before 1970, some
research and development was carried out in a few countries to exploit solar energy more efficiently, but
most of this work remained mainly academic. After the dramatic rise in oil prices in the 1970s, several
countries began to formulate extensive research and development programmes to exploit solar energy.
When we hang out our clothes to dry in the sun, we use the energy of the sun. In the same way, solar
panels absorb the energy of the sun to provide heat for cooking and for
heating water. Such systems are available in the market and are being used
in homes and factories.
In the next few years it is expected that millions of households in the world
will be using solar energy as the trends in USA and Japan show. In India
too, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and the Ministry of
Non-Conventional Energy Sources are formulating a programme to have
solar energy in more than a million households in the next few years.
However, the peoples initiative is essential if the programme is to be
successful.
India is one of the few countries with long days and plenty of sunshine, especially in the Thar desert
region. This zone, having abundant solar energy available, is suitable for harnessing solar energy for a
number of applications. In areas with similar intensity of solar radiation, solar energy could be easily
harnessed. Solar thermal energy is being used in
Form of Energy: Thermal energy
India for heating water for both industrial and domestic
purposes. A 140 MW integrated solar power plant is to
This energy is used for: Cooking/Heating,
be set up in Jodhpur but the initial expense incurred is
Drying/Timber seasoning, Distillation,
still very high.
Electricity/Power generation, Cooling,
Solar energy can also be used to meet our electricity
Refrigeration, Cold storage
requirements. Through Solar Photovoltaic (SPV)
cells, solar radiation gets converted into DC
Some of the gadgets and other devices:
electricity directly. This electricity can either be used
Solar cooker, Flat plate solar cookers,
as it is or can be stored in the battery. This stored
Concentrating collectors, Solar hot water
electrical energy then can be used at night. SPV can
systems (Domestic and Industrial), Solar pond,
be used for a number of applications such as:
Solar hot air systems, Solar Dryers, Solar timber
a. domestic lighting
kilns, solar stills, Solar photovoltaic systems,
b. street lighting
Solar pond, Concentrating collectors, Power
c. village electrification
Tower, Air conditioning, Solar collectors, coupled
d. water pumping
to absorption, Refrigeration systems
e. desalination of salty water
f. powering of remote telecommunication repeater stations and
g. railway signals.
If the means to make efficient use of solar energy could be found, it would reduce our dependence on
non-renewable sources of energy and make our environment cleaner.

India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5000 trillion kWh/year, which is far more
than the total energy consumption of the country.

http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/solar7.htm

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR

POWER

1. Solar energy is free although there is a cost in the building of collectors and other
equipment required to convert solar energy into electricity or hot water.
2. Solar energy does not cause pollution. However, solar collectors and other associated
equipment / machines are manufactured in factories that in turn cause some pollution.
3. Solar energy can be used in remote areas where it is too expensive to extend the electricity
power grid.
4. Many everyday items such as calculators and other low power consuming devices can be
powered by solar energy effectively.
5. It is estimated that the worlds oil reserves will last for 30 to 40 years. On the other hand,
solar energy is infinite (forever).

1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.

2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are
falling rapidly.
3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized
conventional power stations. They are also very expensive.
4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable
as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.
5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged
together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.
6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night.
However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing
from time to time.

Solar Energy
Market Overview
Rajasthan is blessed with two critical resources that are essential to solar power
production:high level of solar radiation per square inch and large amounts of
contiguous, relatively flat,undeveloped land. The western states have the
highest levels of solar radiation. The most intense solar radiation in the India is

located in Rajasthan.Rajasthan is uniquely placed to tap solar radiations with

300-330 clear sunny days andaverage daily solar incidence of 5-7kWh/m2
that is comparable to Deserts of California, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona.The
total desert area in the State is 208,110sq.kms. 60% of the land is arid and semi
arid landin the State.
Characteristics of the Sector in Rajasthan
Solar has huge untapped potential on account of the State's high solar
insolation level, the best in the country. Solar industry is expected to be an
economic engine in Rajasthan creating jobs across the State and spur billions
in economic growth and tax revenue along with powering remotely connected
households.Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are the key regions with
best solar radiation in theState. Daily average radiation ranges between
5kWh/m2
in north-eastern hilly areas and7kWh/m2 in western regions.The average daily
solar radiations translates into 1600-2000 kWh/m2
leading to generation potential much higher than its present and expected
yearly consumption.
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