In most schools across the globe, students are only given a superficial learning of renewable energy. In 2022, it’s become more important more than ever to make young minds aware of the true potential and desperate need for clean energy.
Several countries have already made progress on efforts to reduce non-renewable energy consumption; Germany, for example, is attempting to phase out coal consumption completely over the next few years. India has announced its intention to phase out vehicles powered by fossil fuels in the next decade. Fossil fuels can be replaced by nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar energy, but this is easier said than done. This is the main reason I think students should have a separate subject in school that deals with the pressing concerns of the practical usage of renewable energy.
We know that solar power in India is a fast developing industry because of the long months of heavy sun exposure. The Indian Government had targeted a 20 GW solar installed capacity for 2022, which was achieved four years ahead of schedule. In 2021, we already had a capacity of 48.556 GW. This only goes to prove how achievable converting to solar energy is for the country. But if solar energy has such vast potential in India, why hasn’t it replaced or even taken over 50% of the country’s energy consumption?
The majority of the nation is still functioning on conventional power grids. Despite over 300 sunny days annually, rooftop solar power still remains untapped on a large scale. I believe India is capable of building a nationalized solar-powered grid that can become the solitary source of electricity in the country. The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has already initiated an implementation plan for ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ – a framework that will eventually connect the country through solar power, providing solar-powered electricity to cities and villages across their borders.
The problem is, that I was not aware of any of this, and neither were my classmates. Solar power should be a compulsory component of Indian education curriculums so that students can not only learn about the potential of solar power in India, but practically and creatively help solve issues. Mandatory learning on solar power can promote students to assist with funding for solar photovoltaic modules, spread awareness about grid-connected solar power plants in rural areas, and actively collaborate with government agencies and private parties to improve the infrastructure status for solar projects nation-wide.
The state I reside in – Rajasthan – tops the solar installed capacity in India according to the MNRE. We have huge barren spaces, rural lands, as well as urban development, ripe and ready to harness the huge potential of solar power. We have the solar capacity to spearhead solar-powered electricity, irrigation pumps, thermal energy for cooking, batteries for cars, etc.
Learning about the specificities of the implementation of solar PV modules, understanding government policies like Rajasthan’s Solar Energy Policy 2019, and field trips to solar power parks like the Dhirubhai Ambani Solar Park, can help students become proactively involved with not just Indian energy efficiency plans but global initiatives that can transform our energy-scape.