Harnessing Solar energy, Options for India

It is difficult to estimate the potential for industrial applications, as there are several to be
considered here. However, taking into account India’s solar potential and going by the estimates
provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for Europe, the potential energy savings can be
substantial. It is felt that evaluating potential energy savings from the use of solar thermal
technology merits a study of its own.
Table 31: Conservative Estimates of Solar Thermal Applications
Industry
Conservative
estimate
(million m 2 )
Total
investment
(million `)
Tea 0.3 2400
Fish drying 50.4** 403,200
Box cookers
Large-scale
cooking***
Solar water
heating
Dairy
industry
*****
3,195,000
units
8.6 86,400
18.7**** 126,230
Annual
energy
saved
(million
kWh)
225
(thermal
energy)
37,800
(thermal
energy)
9590 -
9,820
(thermal
energy)
10,098
(electrical
energy)
3.5 - 2,690
Fuel
saved
51.3
million
kg coal
40.3
million
kg of
firewood
Firewood
saved
960
million l
of diesel
Abating
grid
240
million
kg of
furnace
oil
CO 2
mitigated
(million
kg)*
Notes: * Assumptions on CO 2 emission: CO 2 due to coal = 1kg/kWh; CO 2 abatement in SWH is 0.8 kg/kWh; CO 2 due to
diesel = 2.68 kg/l of diesel; CO2 due to furnace oil = 0.66kg/kWh
** 6% of annual total fish potential of India. Solar dryer is used 50% of the drying time.
*** CPSC single-axis tracking system installed in 100,000 large establishments in India (hostels, places of worship,
industrial canteens, hospitals and hotels).
**** Greentech SWH market assessment report: realistic estimate of SWH that includes residential, commercial and
industrial sectors.
***** Solar heat processing to pasteurise 25,000 l of milk/day in 10,000 dairy plants in India.
+ Wood is carbon neutral as it releases carbon that it captured. However, the use of firewood has other negative
effects, such as deforestation.
225
+
-
2,570
8,078
1,770
6.1. Policy Recommendations
Case studies on the experience of solar thermal installations in India should be carried out
and the results disseminated to the public. This is an extremely important first step to
increase the awareness and interest in solar thermal investments.
MNRE-supported demonstration solar plants in each potential industrial sector along with
industrial partners should be prioritised. The industrial partners who are willing to invest in
such pilot plants can be offered tax benefits and/or soft loans in addition to the capital
subsidy. The MNRE is already involved in this effort, but it could be scaled up and given very
high priority considering the fossil fuel savings and accompanying health benefits.
As manufacturers of solar thermal systems are limited in India, special incentives should be
provided to encourage companies to set up manufacturing facilities.
Solar Thermal Applications CSTEP | Page 102