India’s rapid expansion of solar energy is helping the country move towards a cleaner energy future. However, increasing generation is also creating a new challenge: in some parts of the country, India does not have enough grid capacity and storage to use all the electricity it produces.
Solar power generation is highest during the day, when sunlight is available. But electricity demand often increases during the evening, when solar generation starts to decline. Without sufficient battery storage, much of the excess daytime electricity cannot be saved for later use.
Transmission infrastructure is another major challenge. Many of India’s large solar projects are located in renewable-energy-rich states, while major centres of electricity demand are located elsewhere. Limited transmission capacity can therefore prevent surplus renewable electricity from reaching consumers.
The continued dependence on coal-based power also adds to the problem. Coal plants provide a large share of India’s electricity but cannot always reduce generation quickly when solar output rises.
This means India’s renewable-energy challenge is no longer simply about adding more capacity. The country also needs stronger transmission networks, large-scale energy storage and a more flexible electricity grid.
India may be producing more clean energy than ever before. The bigger challenge now is making sure that the electricity generated is actually available when and where it is needed.
