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.
