Solar power is ready to enlighten the rural India

Majority of India's underdeveloped towns and villages are highly dependent on agriculture and other primitive activities for their livelihood. Afflicted by recurrent dry monsoons and limited water supply in canals, these rural areas have nothing to meet the irrigation and potable water demand, except water-pumps and tube-wells and they too often remain idle because of poor power supply and frequent load shedding problems. Long power cuts not only adversely affect the agriculture in these areas, but the unavailability of electricity deteriorated the socio-economic growth of these regions on a larger frame. Unemployment, low productivity of the cottage industries, lack of medical facilities and poor educational opportunities are the main factors behind the underdevelopment of the rural India.   

People dwelling in rural India are currently paying their monthly electricity bill against 4 hours of per day consumption on an average, which is of no use to them. This much power is not sufficient for efficient farm produce and substantial irrigation. They are in the dire need of cost effective and uninterrupted  power to increase their productivity and income. The Government of India allows 100% FDI in renewable energy industries. Solar power shares just over one percent of India’s total installed power capacity. The present government at the Centre is planning to add 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022.

Investment in solar energy has received widespread benefits and that's why the government of India is providing Rs.15, 050 crore to promote it. Solar energy safeguards the interest of the rural population through the addressing majority of developmental issues without damaging the clean and pure environment of the countryside. Environmentally friendly solar electricity helps to enhance the annual agricultural productivity by 20-40%.  Moreover, it will also give a new life to cottage industries and small scale handicraft firms mainly run by women in these villages. Solar power in these areas will eventually increase the household income of rural people and will reduce various overhead costs such as diesel expenses for generators and irrigation roughly by Rs. 1000 – 3000 per month.

Mr. Barack Obama has expressed firm support to India in boosting the non-conventional energy sector including solar power during his visit to India in January this year. In addition, solar companies from Canada, China and Japan are also showing interest in installing their power plants.