India shines with International Solar Alliance
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India is set to become an exponential player in the solar space, with its PM launching the International Solar Alliance at an international podium. India alongwith France proposed a global Solar Alliance of 120 countries at the CoP21 or the 21st session of the conference of parties which was being held in Paris from 30th November’15 till 11th December’15. With the effects of global warming becoming more alarming with each passing day, the countries are trying their best possible ways to save our planet.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande at launch of the International Solar Alliance, during the COP21 Summit, in Paris, France on November 30, 2015.
India has set forward a target to achieve an ambitious 100 GW of solar installations by 2022 and has also promised reliable power to its citizens. With more than 300 million people still living in darkness, solar seems to be a sustainable green solution to the country’s problems. Though solar costs have declined considerably, it is till expensive than coal which is found in ample quantities in the country. The main objective for this proposal is the rich nations coming together to help poorer nations in expanding their clean energy sectors through investment and technology sharing.
All countries located fully or partly between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are expected to join. 121 countries have already signed for the alliance. The world at large will benefit, if emerging economies resort more to cleaner fuels thus cutting down emissions. This will allow them to cut their dependence on dirty fossil fuels, thus reducing harmful emissions.
In my view this International Solar Alliance will boost solar business and Tier 1 companies will benefit as a result. It also sends a clear message that solar energy is poised to see more growth and development. Solar energy will thus help major countries in meeting their clean energy obligation and will help the world a better place to live in. The only major hurdle facing the emerging economies in deploying solar is the fact that it is still expensive when compared to fossil fuel like coal. This alliance might help the participating nations to achieve their solar targets.
“Solar technology is evolving, costs are coming down and grid connectivity is improving,” he said. “The dream of universal access to clean energy is becoming more real. This will be the foundation of the new economy of the new century” – Indian PM Narendra Modi at the Paris summit.