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Passage II
With will and vision, India’s energy prospects can be changed from grim to green and the world will benefit as a result. At 571 kW per capita, India’s electricity consumption is one-fifth of China's (2631 kW) and less than one-twentieth of the US’s (12914 kW). India's electricity demand will only grow. Solar electricity today at ₹ 7.50 a kW is economical compared with subsidised diesel-generated power at roughly ₹ 15 a unit, but more expensive than coal-based electricity at about ₹ 6 and in any case, India has ash-rich coal. What is the true cost of coal-based power? Prices are distorted by subsidies, state boundaries, vote-bank politics and uncharged carbon-emission cost. Can India leap frog into a clean-energy future rather than extend the conventional grid with fossil fuels at its core? In a nation blessed with abundant sunlight, to what extent should electricity be a networking service at all? Could India tap ambient solar energy for most of its needs? India’s single-minded focus should be massive and rapid solar deployment, not only through utility-scale solar plants, but also through distributed generation, household-by-household, nationwide. Electricity in India, homes should be roof top-to-room and solar available. Anchored with solar, the solutions may include combinations with bio- diesel, batteries, wind, biogas, micro-hydro etc. At night or when the sun is behind clouds, alternative yet local sources can assure electricity. Once solar energy takes root, India will need less of the colossal and wasteful transmission, distribution and generation infrastructure except for industrial operations such as running factories and trains.
With will and vision, India’s energy prospects can be changed from grim to green and the world will benefit as a result. At 571 kW per capita, India’s electricity consumption is one-fifth of China's (2631 kW) and less than one-twentieth of the US’s (12914 kW). India's electricity demand will only grow. Solar electricity today at ₹ 7.50 a kW is economical compared with subsidised diesel-generated power at roughly ₹ 15 a unit, but more expensive than coal-based electricity at about ₹ 6 and in any case, India has ash-rich coal. What is the true cost of coal-based power? Prices are distorted by subsidies, state boundaries, vote-bank politics and uncharged carbon-emission cost. Can India leap frog into a clean-energy future rather than extend the conventional grid with fossil fuels at its core? In a nation blessed with abundant sunlight, to what extent should electricity be a networking service at all? Could India tap ambient solar energy for most of its needs? India’s single-minded focus should be massive and rapid solar deployment, not only through utility-scale solar plants, but also through distributed generation, household-by-household, nationwide. Electricity in India, homes should be roof top-to-room and solar available. Anchored with solar, the solutions may include combinations with bio- diesel, batteries, wind, biogas, micro-hydro etc. At night or when the sun is behind clouds, alternative yet local sources can assure electricity. Once solar energy takes root, India will need less of the colossal and wasteful transmission, distribution and generation infrastructure except for industrial operations such as running factories and trains.
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