Tata Power’s solar energy solutions poised to power rural India in the future
For rural households where last mile connectivity is still a work in progress, this can bring about a sea change in almost every aspect of life.
People in rural India still lack grid connected power and have to rely on kerosene, diesel and wood stoves. Which is dangerous for the health of women and children. With reduced capital costs and innovative pricing schemes, solar energy can prove to be an attractive option.
Generally solar energy can be used in a decentralized manner, it has many applications: lighting, heating, water filtration and productivity. Solar lighting, for instance, negates the use of kerosene lamps and all the dangers associated with them. The additional 4-5 hours of lighting provided by these solar lamps can improve productivity and household income through the simple process of increasing working hours.
Clean water is a major challenge in rural India, as water purification requires energy. Solar energy is making inroads here too. Nagaland has recently set up a solar-powered water treatment plant at Tsisma, a village near Kohima. which works on an advanced membrane filtration system to produce pure drinking water.
The movement from solar lamps to solar microgrids to solar pumps is small, but highly effective.
A solar microgrid is an integrated network that captures, stores and distributes clean solar energy to the entire community. Energy comes from a central ‘hub’ of high-quality solar panels and batteries, and each family draws energy from it.
Solar microgrids in India are proving to be a cost effective solution to an otherwise expensive problem. Tata Power’s Renewable Microgrid is a leading player in the country and plans to roll out 10,000 microgrids in the near future. It has so far installed around 200 microgrids, most of which are present in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and a pilot microgrid program is underway in 10-15 villages in Odisha. Microgrid not only helps households but also shops, medical clinics (for refrigeration), electric mobility providers, telecom towers, education centers and roadside eateries, education, medicine and employment opportunities to raise the average income and standard of living of all households.
India’s agricultural sector is highly dependent on monsoons for natural irrigation. Pumps are used as artificial means to supply water for irrigation. Farmers rely on grid electricity or diesel gen-sets to run the pumps, leading to huge delays and financial stress. Hence an effective irrigation system like solar water pump is a great boon for our farmers. It increases the yield of their crops by ensuring a reliable and perennial supply of water to their fields.
Standalone solar power agri pumps have the potential to increase the productivity of Indian farmers and are an eco-friendly alternative to the 26 billion agricultural pumps already in use. 10 billion of them are diesel based. By replacing just 1 billion diesel pumps with solar pumps we can expect to reduce diesel consumption by 9.4 billion liters, which translates into direct savings for farmers. It also helps us save 25.3 billion tons of CO2.
To meet this requirement Tata Power offers DC and AC range of solar water pumps in both solar surface and submersible categories. These pumps help reduce farmers’ dependence on expensive fuel and their maintenance costs, unlike conventional irrigation systems. With over 76,000 pumps installed across India till date, we aim to provide water assurance and financial security to all farmers in India.
Tata Power is also an empaneled agency under the PM-KUSUM scheme which helps our Indian farmers to fulfill their irrigation needs even in the remotest corners of the country and assures them a stable income at all times. Its solar pump solutions are now also available in the retail market to benefit the growing number of customers seeking immediate installation in rural, semi-rural or urban areas.
Solar energy and solar technology also impact rural youth by providing employment. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Indian solar sector created 1,15,000 job opportunities in 2018 and will continue to grow in the coming years. As these systems are adopted, the demand for semi-skilled labor who can install and repair these systems will increase. Tata Power trains 3000 youth every year through the Tata Power Skill Development Institute to work in the renewable energy sector, and the GOI is also investing in a number of upskilling initiatives targeting renewables and rural youth.
Solar Energy and Indian Economy
As the Indian economy grows and moves up the value chain, energy demand will only increase. According to the 19th Electric Power Survey report, the electricity consumption on an all-India basis during the years 2016-17, 2021-22 and 2026-27 is estimated at 921 BU, 1300 BU and 1743 BU respectively. which is estimated to increase to 3049 BU by 2036-37. Currently India’s total power generation capacity in 2021-22 is only 1491 BU. Given that India will no longer add coal-fired power plants, the only economically viable way to meet this demand is through renewables.
In 2019, India ranked fourth globally in installed renewable power capacity, with solar and wind leading the way. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of generating 450 GW. Renewable energy by 2030 – five times the current capacity. If achieved, it would also mean that India would generate 60% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, well above the 40% target in its Paris pledge. It will also mean that India will save on fuel import bills, at a time when fuel prices are more uncertain than ever.
According to the Standard Chartered SDG Investment Map, India alone offers private investment opportunities of over $700 billion in clean energy. Solar Energy and India’s Rise to the Energy Challenge India has an opportunity to show the world how an emerging economy can meet its energy needs in a sustainable manner – both for its economy and its environment. The GOI raised many eyebrows when it made the NDC to generate 40% of power from non-fossil fuel sources at the Paris Climate Conference. However, GOI was able to make this commitment knowing that it has the support of private companies like Tata Power who are making tremendous progress in this regard.
Besides nearly 200 microgrids in rural areas, Tata Power has completed an installed capacity of over 1000 MW through rooftop solar installations, making it India’s No.1 solar. EPC company since last 8 years. Through this installation alone, Tata Power customers have saved up to 50% on their average electricity bill and saved 30 million+ tonnes of CO2.
Through innovative pricing that reduces upfront costs, full service installation and repair and a 25-year warranty, Tata Power is helping India move towards a green energy future one roof at a time.
Tata Power is also setting up 4GW of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity with an investment of approx. 3,400 crores. This, in turn, will reduce India’s dependence on imports of solar cells and batteries. As of this writing, Tata Power has 5114 MW of clean energy capacity and 2000+ EV charging stations. Tata Power’s Clean Energy Incubation Center incubates new clean and green energy startups, fueling the next wave of innovation in green energy technologies that will propel India to the forefront of global energy conservation, production and sustainability.
For Tata Power, sustainability policies run deep. “Tata Power’s pillar of sustainability is rooted in the vision of our founder, Jamshetji Tata, 100 years ago. Our mission has always been to provide clean, abundant and affordable energy to the people of this country. Its relevance is perhaps even greater. Today, when climate change is a global threat is,” Tata Power CEO and MD Dr. Praveer Sinha said in a recent interview with Network18.
Tata Power’s portfolio currently comprises 32% green energy and is set to increase to 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2045. Tata Power is the first company in India to set itself net zero. target by 2045. However, the belief that sustainability is attainable, they seek to instill in the larger community; Making sustainable lifestyles ‘affordable’ to millions of Indians through widespread adoption of green products and solutions. They have started by giving their customers an option to opt for green power supply by adopting a green tariff.
As India increases its capacity to generate energy from clean sources, and as Indian consumers and businesses increasingly choose green energy, India continues to move towards a future where she leads the world by example.
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