Pralhad Joshi Highlights Solar Energy Growth at Clean Energy Conference in New Delhi
The demand for solar panels and related technology is on the rise, boosting local manufacturing and economic growth in small industries, according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi. Speaking at the third edition of the High-level Conference on New Technologies for Clean Energy Transition in New Delhi, Joshi emphasized the role of new technologies in enhancing solar panel efficiency.
Joshi stated, “This conference has brought together policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to drive real-world change and progress towards climate targets through collaboration and innovation.” He also highlighted the importance of storage technologies, noting that innovations in battery storage allow excess energy to be stored and used during cloudy periods or at night.
Prashant Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, pointed out that solar energy is becoming the least-cost option for the power sector. He mentioned that while traditional silicon-based photovoltaic panels have been crucial, innovations like perovskite solar cells are transforming the industry.
Recently, India and France were elected as President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for 2024-2026. The ISA aims to scale up solar energy and reduce costs through demand aggregation for solar finance, technologies, and innovation.
India’s interim Budget announced the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a rooftop solar project with an investment of over Rs 75,000 crores, aiming to light up 1 crore households. Globally, renewable energy, including solar, is seen as a way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. At COP26, India committed to ambitious climate goals, including reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Doubts Revealed
Pralhad Joshi -: Pralhad Joshi is an Indian politician who is currently serving as a Union Minister. He is involved in discussions and decisions related to energy and other important sectors in India.
Solar Energy -: Solar energy is the power we get from the sun. It is a clean and renewable source of energy, meaning it doesn’t pollute the environment and can be used over and over again.
Clean Energy Conference -: A Clean Energy Conference is a meeting where experts and leaders discuss ways to use energy that doesn’t harm the environment. They talk about new technologies and ideas to make energy use better and cleaner.
Battery Storage -: Battery storage refers to using batteries to store energy for later use. This is important for solar energy because the sun doesn’t shine all the time, so we need to save the energy for when it’s needed.
Perovskite Cells -: Perovskite cells are a new type of solar cell that can be used to convert sunlight into electricity. They are known for being cheaper and more efficient than traditional solar cells.
International Solar Alliance -: The International Solar Alliance is a group of countries working together to promote the use of solar energy. India and France are leading this group to help make solar energy more popular and accessible worldwide.
Net-zero Emissions -: Net-zero emissions mean balancing the amount of greenhouse gases we put into the atmosphere with the amount we take out. India aims to achieve this by 2070 to help fight climate change.
