Question : USE OF SOLAR ENERGY



(a) whether the Government have any scheme or taken any steps to optimise the use of solar energy in both urban and rural areas in the country;

(b) if so, the details of such scheme; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor ?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE FOR NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (SHRI M. KANNAPPAN)


(a) & (b): Solar energy can be used through two principal routes - the thermal route for heating, cooking, drying, water purification, power generation etc and the photovoltaic route for converting sun light to electricity which can be used for a variety of purposes such as lighting, pumping, communication and refrigeration. A number of solar devices have been developed for different applications and are being manufactured commercially. To promote the large scale use of these devices in both urban & rural areas, the Government has been implementing various schemes which include the following:


(i) Interest subsidy schemes have been introduced for solar thermal devices through Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and some banks under which loans at low interest are being made available to the users. A total of around 6,50,000 sq. m. of solar collector area for water heating has been installed so far.


(ii) A model building bye-law for making solar assisted water heating systems mandatory in certain types of buildings has been drafted and circulated to all State Governments.


(iii) A demonstration scheme for installation of concentrating type solar cookers in community kitchens is being implemented. The world`s largest solar steam cooking system for 10,000 people is in operation at Brahmakumaris Ashram at Taleti, near Mount Abu, Rajasthan.


(iv) Under a promotional scheme on solar cookers, publicity and awareness promotion campaign is being carried out through advertisements, demonstrations, brochures, electronic media, etc. Over 5,25,000 box solar cookers have so far been sold in the country.


(v) A 140 MW Integrated Combined Cycle power project has been sanctioned for installation at village Mathania, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The project comprises of a solar thermal power plant of 35 MW capacity based on parabolic tough collector technology and a 105 MW combined cycle plant to be run on re-gasified natural gas (R-LNG).


(vi) A country-wide solar photovoltaic programme is in operation under which devices like solar lanterns, solar home lighting systems, solar street lights, power plants and solar pumps are being installed through subsidies to the users. Over 4,27,680 solar lanterns, 2,06,730 home lighting systems, 41,770 street lights, 5,000 water pumps and 2.7 MW capacity of power plants have so far been installed under this programme.


(vii) A scheme on village electrification has been developed under which 18,000 unelectrified remote villages have been proposed to be electrified through non- conventional energy sources. Out of these, 5,000 will be electrified during 10th plan, including 4,000 through solar photovoltaic systems.



(viii) Aditya Solar Shops are being established in cities in order to make solar products available to users and provide repair services. 29 such shops have been established so far.


(c): Does not arise.