Solar lighting systems successful in Rajasthan

It is a simple device but it has shrunk the nights in Rajasthan’s countryside. Over the past decade, thousands of families in the state’s remote villages, unconnected with the grid, have installed solar lighting systems at their homes, which harness solar energy to generate electricity.

According to the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, the nodal agency of the union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (mnre), 73,590 solar home lighting systems have been installed in Rajasthan since 1999. This is more than one-fifth of the total such systems installed across the country.

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Global PV Market Set to Take Off

The rapid growth in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry could lead to an oversupply situation in the short term, but could also lead to grid parity for PV in three to four years, opening many new doors for the industry. That is according to a new report from SolarPlaza.

The report gives an overview of the market forces that are currently driving the global demand for solar power and discusses the probability and consequences of the possible oversupply situation. The first part of the report looks at demand dynamics in the world’s major PV markets. Government policies will come into play as Germany, Spain and the U.S. face uncertainties regarding their respective subsidy programs.

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Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil

After emerging in 2006 from 15 years of hibernation, the solar thermal power industry experienced a surge in 2007, with 100 megawatts of new capacity coming online worldwide. During the 1990s, cheap fossil fuels, combined with a loss of state and federal incentives, put a damper on solar thermal power development. However, recent increases in energy prices, escalating concerns about global climate change, and fresh economic incentives are renewing interest in this technology.



Considering that the energy in sunlight reaching the earth in just 70 minutes is equivalent to annual global energy consumption, the potential for solar power is virtually unlimited. With concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity expected to double every 16 months over the next five years, worldwide installed CSP capacity will reach 6,400 megawatts in 2012—14 times the current capacity. (See data.)

Unlike solar photovoltaics (PVs), which use semiconductors to convert sunlight directly into electricity, CSP plants generate electricity using heat. Much like a magnifying glass, reflectors focus sunlight onto a fluid-filled vessel. The heat absorbed by the fluid is used to generate steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity. Power generation after sunset is possible by storing excess heat in large, insulated tanks filled with molten salt. Since CSP plants require high levels of direct solar radiation to operate efficiently, deserts make ideal locations.

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Jatropha Production Expanded in India

India is one of the world’s leading cultivators of jatropha as a feedstock for biodiesel, with over one million hectares planted to date. That figure is set to rise slightly on the news that Hindustan Petroleum and the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) are partnering to plant an additional 15,000 hectares.

Cleantech is reporting that though the exact financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Hindustan Petroleum will hold 74% of the joint venture and will received the entire harvest of jatropha seeds, which it will then refine into biodiesel for sale at its retail outlets across the state of Chhattisgarh. The land used for cultivation will be wastelands obtained by CREDA.

India has conducted a number of trials using Jatropha-based biodiesel on it public transport systems, both on major train routes and on public buses.

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Ashden Awards 2008

The Ashden Awards are given to visionaries in the developing world who are finding solutions to climate change and bringing real social and economic benefits to their local communities at a grass-roots level. In the past projects have shown how simple, innovative design, at a relatively small price can bring huge changes to large numbers of people in terms of health, education, and social welfare. This year the 7 finalists are no less inspiring.

In Western China, the Renewable Energy Development Project (REDP), has brought affordable, high-quality solar lighting to people who live in tents in rural areas. Since 2001, REDP has sold over 402,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar-home systems to yak and other herding communities in remote areas. Previously they relied on kerosene, butter lamps and candles for light. Now almost 1.44 million people who previously had little access to electricity have an improved quality of life through better light, communications and entertainment.

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Aurore won the Ashden Award in 2004

Renewable Energy Accelerates Meteoric Rise

2007 Global Status Report Shows Perceptions Lag Reality

REN21 Renewables 2007 Global Status Report

Download the report, press release and presentations slides

Paris, 27 February 2008 – The renewable energy industry is stepping up its meteoric rise into the mainstream of the energy sector, according to the REN21 Renewables 2007 Global Status Report. Renewable energy production capacities are growing rapidly as a result of more countries enacting far-reaching policies.

Prepared by the Renewable Energy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) in collaboration with the Worldwatch Institute, the Renewables 2007 Global Status Report paints an encouraging picture of rapidly expanding renewable energy markets, policies, industries, and rural applications around the world. In 2007, global wind generating capacity is estimated to have increased 28 percent, while grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity rose 52 percent.

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Buoyant wind market

India and China are among top five growing markets for wind energy.

Of the various renewable energy sources, wind energy is making a significant contribution to the installed capacity of power generation and is emerging a competitive option.

It is used in more than 70 countries and contributes to 1.3 per cent of the global electricity consumption. In some countries, wind energy contributes to 40 per cent or more of their power needs.

Germany, the US, Spain, India and China are the top five countries with growing wind markets. At the end of 2007, worldwide capacity of wind-powered generators was 93,849 MW.

World Wind Energy Association press release.