Solar Energy: Alternative to Combat Energy Insecurity in India

With a growing economy, an increasing population, India’s energy demands is mounting. The household sector is the largest consumer of energy in India, accounting for 40-50 percent of the total energy consumption in the country. In rural areas, the domestic sector accounts for nearly 80 percent of total energy consumption. It has been estimated that with the current rate of consumption, India would require over 450 million tones of coal, 94 million tones of oil and 220 million units of electricity by 2006 to sustain its energy needs.

Shikha Bisht & Biswajayee Patra