India's Energy Transition: Beyond Silicon Panels to Next-Generation Solutions
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Science & Technology (Renewable Energy, Solar Photovoltaic technology, Green Hydrogen, Artificial Photosynthesis), Environment (Climate Change, Decarbonisation), Economy (Energy Security).
Mains:
GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy; Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Key Highlights from the News
As the global demand for renewable energy increases, the article argues that it's time to think beyond currently widespread silicon photovoltaics solar panels and consider more efficient next-generation technologies.
Silicon solar panels have an efficiency of only 15-18%, requiring more space to generate more electricity.
Other technologies like gallium arsenide have achieved efficiencies up to 47%.
The low efficiency of silicon panels also adversely affects the efficiency of green hydrogen production.
There is a need to focus on future technologies like artificial photosynthesis (APS), which mimic natural photosynthesis to directly produce fuel using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
The European Union is working on 'Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin' (RFNBO) produced using renewable energy.
India, which relies on energy imports for up to 85%, needs to invest more in research and innovation to achieve true energy self-sufficiency, the article suggests.
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