Gujarat is a leader in solar power. In 2020, Gujarat had the largest installed solar capacity in India, with 15.1 GW of installed capacity. This is more than double the installed capacity of the next largest state, Rajasthan, which had 6.8 GW of installed capacity. Gujarat’s solar power capacity is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, as the state has ambitious plans to increase its renewable energy share to 30% of its total electricity generation by 2022.
Solar power is a form of renewable energy that uses the sun’s energy to generate electricity. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using a process called photovoltaics. Solar power is a clean and sustainable form of energy that does not produce any emissions. It is also a cost-effective form of energy, with the cost of solar panels having fallen significantly in recent years.
Gujarat is well-suited for solar power generation, as it receives an average of 300 sunny days per year. The state also has a number of policies in place to promote solar power, such as a feed-in tariff that guarantees a price for solar power that is higher than the price of grid electricity.
Gujarat’s solar power sector has created thousands of jobs and has helped to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels. Solar power is a key part of Gujarat’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and achieve its climate goals.
The other options are:
- Wind power: Wind power is a form of renewable energy that uses the wind to generate electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity. Wind power is a clean and sustainable form of energy that does not produce any emissions. It is also a cost-effective form of energy, with the cost of wind turbines having fallen significantly in recent years.
- Hydroelectric power: Hydroelectric power is a form of renewable energy that uses the power of moving water to generate electricity. Hydroelectric dams are built on rivers to create a reservoir of water. The water is then released from the reservoir through a turbine, which generates electricity. Hydroelectric power is a clean and sustainable form of energy that does not produce any emissions. However, it can have a negative impact on the environment, as dams can disrupt the flow of rivers and damage ecosystems.
- Geothermal power: Geothermal power is a form of renewable energy that uses the heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity. Geothermal power plants use steam from hot springs or geysers to drive turbines, which generate electricity. Geothermal power is a clean and sustainable form of energy that does not produce any emissions. However, it is only available in certain locations where there is geothermal activity.