A Study on Solar and Green House Gas Mitigation Potential in India by using AHP Method and Geospatial Technology

Abstract

India, on June 2016, announced its intent of increasing Renewable Energy portfolio to 175 GW by 2022 taking cognizance of the increasing impacts of global warming across the world. Further, in COP 21, the country committed to have 40% portfolio from renewable energy by 2030. With the dwindling conventional resources, it has become imperative to understand the overall potential that the various renewable energy sources. This paper is an attempt to understand the possible installable solar capacity in India. The study reveals the suitable zones of PV solar installation across the country using Analytical Hierarchy Process and Geo-Spatial technology. Basis the same, the study further analyses possible solar power generation and corresponding greenhouse gas mitigated. It is found around 50.4% area show higher suitability for solar installations in India. If 1% of this suitable zone (high and very high) is utilised for installation of solar PV, then the potential installable capacity is 798.5 GW which can produce 3,194,171 MWh electrical energy and has potential to mitigate 2,619,220 tonne Carbon dioxide per day. The solar energy can also be harnessed to provide electricity access to all rural areas who have been deprived of quality power for so many years. The demand for the country shall undoubtedly grow in the coming years with all the rural consumers connected to the grid under the Saubhagya Scheme and the study will be useful for harnessing the maximum potential in the areas where the grid supply is insuffiencient to meet the needs of the people.