India’s net-zero targets: Accessing the role of solar energy in its renewable energy mix

Abstract

India’s ambition to gradually lessen its fossil fuel dependency and to accelerate its non-fossil fuel installed capacity to 500 GWs by 2030, and to become net zero by 2070 would not be possible without the development and deployment of the renewable energy resources. To boost its renewable energy sector, the Government of India has been initiating a series of policies and programmes encompassing Solar, Wind, Hydro and Bio-fuels to achieve the above-mentioned targets. India’s multi-layered approach to increase renewables in its energy mix and to reduce carbon emissions would be largely met through the wind and solar energy. However, considering the versatility and decentralized output of the solar energy, sizable contribution can be expected from the solar energy in its renewable energy mix.This paper would initially discuss about the role of renewables in India’s energy landscape. Further, it would be detailing the transformative steps, and the policies initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to develop, deploy and generate solar energy in India. Finally, it would lay a stress on the reforms to be initiated as far as the solar energy policies are concerned to meet its net zero targets.