India is the 7th
largest country by area and 2nd densely populated country in the world. Demographic
forecasts suggest that by 2025 when India’s population begins to approach a
steady state, it may surpass that of China.
In spite of
several achievements to our credit since independence, the unabated growth of
population are resulting to burgeoning unemployment and poverty.
Referring wealth
as a net asset of a person less any liability, India is 7th amongst top 10
wealthiest countries of the world with total individual wealth of USD 5600 billion next to USA(48900), China
(17400), Japan (15100), UK (9200), Germany (9100) and France (6600) ahead of
Canada (4700), Australia (4500) & Italy (4400) respectively in same units.
It is imperative that the ranking of India is largely because of huge
population. However, the economy of India will likely grow at 7.6 % in 2016-17
and improve further.
One of the prime
movers for industrial& economic growth is electricity.
At present major
energy demand is met from conventional non-environment friendly thermal power
generated from limited fossil fuel & gas resources. Hydro-electric power
though renewable but contributing slowly due long gestation period and affect
the stability ofeco-system by deforestation for construction of dams,
reservoirs, etc. leading to soil erosion, flood & other natural calamities..
In 2016, our
Prime Minister has announced an ambitious plan to expand solar energy
installations in several manifolds not only being a clean fuel eliminating
green gas emission, but also due to availability of Sun in abundance almost
throughout the year in major parts of the country.
To visualize this
dream, number of steps are taken by Govt. agencies and Public / Private
enterprises. Some states are imposing mandatory installation of solar power
plants in Group housing societies, Commercial buildings, Educational institutes
and Govt. & Private multistoried buildings. Besides, our fast growing Real
estate sector which is second in employment generation next to agriculture
sector can boost the dynamics of solar energy by adopting Roof top solar power installations.
As such we must tap the utilization of solar energy to the maximum extent
possible.
India has 2
largest Solar Power plants of the world one at Rewa, Madhya Pradesh (under
construction) with capacity of 750 MW and
the other one operating at Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu having capacity of 648 MW . The
3rd largest unit is in California, USA with 550 MW capacity.
Prof. Pradip.K. Mukherjee
Associate Professor
Dept. of Management Studies
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