Prologue

The sun is the eternal energy source that sustains and links all life on earth. It has been worshipped since the days of yore as a symbol of energy and above all, as the source of
fertility, growth, and power. The heat of the atmosphere, derived from absorbed solar energy, powers the winds and the cycle of evaporation and precipitation. The energy in biomass is derived from plants and photosynthetic microorganisms, which use the energy of sunlight. Mankind has been harnessing sun's energy and using it to meet energy requirements in the day-to-day work for ages. With the change in lifestyle, the end use of energy is also changing and consequently, the requirement for development of more efficient methods to harness all forms of energy has become critical.

India, being a tropical country is blessed with plenty of sun shine through out the year. Solar energy in broad terms can be harnessed through two routes namely: solar thermal and solar photovoltaic. The solar thermal route provides applications including water heating, air heating, cooking, drying of agricultural and food products, distillation of water, water purification, detoxification of wastes, cooling and refrigeration, process heat for industry, steam generation for cooking and electricity generation. Through the solar photovoltaic route - solar lights, solar pumps, solar road studs, solar blinkers, solar power plants for villages, telecommunication systems, solar power for computers, solar power for schools and hostels, battery charging, railway signaling are the most common applications that are being used widely. The designing of energy efficient buildings based on solar passive architecture alongwith energy efficiency measures is also an upcoming activity. Most of these systems & devices have been developed in India through Research & Development and demonstration programmes. Now, the Megawatt scale solar power plants are also being set up in the country.

Given the upward trend in energy demand in India, there is an urgent need to harness every source of energy for various end-use applications. Renewable energy is now playing a vital role in providing clean energy solution. The Government of India is paying focused attention to the development and deployment of renewable energy systems and devices including solar energy in the country through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

National Solar Mission

"Our vision is to make India's economic development energy-efficient. Over a period of time, we must pioneer a graduated shift from economic activity based on fossil fuels to one based on non-fossil fuels and from reliance on nonrenewable and depleting sources of energy to renewable sources of energy. In this strategy, the sun occupies centrestage, as it should, being literally the original source of all energy. We will pool our scientific, technical and managerial talents, with sufficient financial resources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power our economy and to transform the lives of our people.Our success in this endeavour will change the face of India. It would also enable India to help change the destinies of people around the world."

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
Launching India's National Action Plan on Climate Change on June 30, 2008

The National Action Plan on Climate Change also points out: "India is a tropical country, where sunshine is available for longer hours per day and in great intensity. Solar energy, therefore, has great potential as future energy source. It also has the advantage of permitting the decentralized distribution of energy, thereby empowering people at the grassroots level."

The 'National Solar Mission' is one of the eight mission under 'National Action Plan on Climate Change' is a major initiative to promote ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India's energy security challenge. It will also constitute a major contribution by India to meet the challenges of climate change. The National Solar Mission aims to promote the development and use of solar energy for power generation and other off-grid uses in the country. The Mission targets 20,000 MW solar powers, by 2022.