Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.
Approach · directive: “explain”
What it asks · Set out, with Indian examples, how solar power helps the environment and the economy.
It asks 2 things — answer each
- Explain: the ecological benefits of solar generation in India, with examples
- Explain: the economic benefits of solar generation in India, with examples
Open with · India's solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025, and non-fossil sources reached half of installed capacity by July 2025; these gains show on both the ecological and economic ledgers.
Cover
- Ecological: solar displaces coal power; non-fossil sources reached 50% of installed capacity in 2025, ahead of the 2030 NDC target.
- Ecological: no smoke, fly ash or cooling water; PM-KUSUM pumps expected to cut diesel use by 1.38 billion litres a year.
- Ecological: rooftop, canal-top and floating solar need no fresh land and curb evaporation.
- Examples table: Bhadla (2,245 MW), Pavagada (2,050 MW, lease rent to drought-hit farmers), PM Surya Ghar (up to 300 free units).
- Economic: competitive tariffs and less imported fuel strengthen energy security; KUSUM lets farmers sell surplus power.
- Economic: jobs in installation and module making; PLI builds a domestic supply chain; International Solar Alliance (COP21 Paris, 2015).
Close with · Storage, grid integration and a home-grown supply chain will decide whether solar delivers SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and the net-zero-by-2070 pledge.
Add value (verified)
- In July 2025 the government reported that non-fossil sources had reached 50% of India's installed electricity capacity, five years ahead of the 2030 NDC target.India's Renewable Rise: Non-Fossil Sources Now Power Half the Nation's Grid — PIB (MNRE), 14 July 2025 ↗“India has achieved a landmark in its energy transition journey by reaching 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources—five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.”
- PIB (7 February 2025): India's installed solar capacity crossed 100 GW in January 2025, up from 2.82 GW in 2014.India Achieves Historic Milestone of 100 GW Solar Power Capacity — PIB (MNRE), 7 February 2025 ↗“India’s solar power sector has witnessed an extraordinary 3450 % increase in capacity over the past decade, rising from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025”
- Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan has an installed capacity of 2,245 MW.India's Solar Growth Enters a New Era — PIB Explainer (MNRE) ↗“the park has an installed capacity of 2,245 MW”
- The 2,050 MW Pavagada Solar Park pays lease rent to farmers in a drought-hit region.G20 Delegates visit Pavagada Solar Park, Karnataka — PIB (MNRE), February 2023 ↗“lease rental from the projects provides a sustained source of income to the farmers”
- PM-KUSUM is expected to cut diesel use by 1.38 billion litres a year.PM-KUSUM Factsheet — PIB (MNRE) ↗“PM-KUSUM will lead to an annual reduction in diesel consumption of 1.38 billion litres per annum, thus reducing the import bill on account of petroleum products”
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana aims at 1 crore households with up to 300 free units a month.PM announces Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — PIB (PMO), February 2024 ↗“aims to light up 1 crore households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month”
- The International Solar Alliance was founded in 2015 during COP21 in Paris.About Us — International Solar Alliance ↗“Founded in 2015, during the COP21 in Paris”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2025, GS Paper I — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 16 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 225words · Minimalist IAS
India's installed solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025, and non-fossil sources reached half of installed capacity by July 2025. Both ecology and economy gain.
Ecological benefits
- Low-carbon power: each solar unit displaces coal; the 50% non-fossil mark came five years ahead of the 2030 NDC target.
- Cleaner air and water: no smoke or fly ash and almost no cooling water, unlike thermal plants.
- Greener farms: PM-KUSUM solar pumps are expected to cut diesel use by 1.38 billion litres a year.
- Land saved: rooftop, canal-top and floating panels need no fresh land and curb evaporation.
Economic benefits
| Example | Gain |
|---|---|
| Bhadla, Rajasthan (2,245 MW) | Arid land put to use |
| Pavagada, Karnataka (2,050 MW) | Lease rent for drought-hit farmers |
| PM Surya Ghar (2024) | Up to 300 free units a month |
- Energy security: competitive bidding lowered tariffs; less imported fuel eases the import bill.
- Farm incomes: KUSUM lets farmers sell surplus power, becoming energy producers.
- Household savings: PM Surya Ghar aims to light up 1 crore homes with free rooftop power.
- Jobs and manufacturing: installation and maintenance work; PLI for high-efficiency modules builds domestic manufacturing.
- Solar diplomacy: the International Solar Alliance, founded at COP21 in Paris (2015), extends India's reach.
Storage, grid integration and home-grown supply chains will decide if solar delivers SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and India's net-zero-by-2070 pledge.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 16 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
