Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission: A Critical Analysis of Evolution and Challenges

Abstract

Solar power is clean, green, renewable and reliable energy source. The chapter revisits initiatives and commitments of Indian state toward clean and secure energy and brings into discussion how this commitment is shaped in the context of global awareness and local economic and energy compulsions. The chapter discusses how recognition of global warming and climate change paved way for international cooperation leading to conventions and targeted mitigation of anthropogenic environmental hazards, which also shapes India’s efforts for switching toward renewable and clean energy sources. India began its journey toward renewable energy in the early 1980s, which galvanized with the foundation of new Ministry to look for alternative sources of energy. In 2008, as a part of global commitment and efforts to harness available renewable energy for its economic growth, India devised National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) in which Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) is one of the essential mission plans. The chapter looks at policy guidelines of JNNSM and discusses why such mission programs are important for India. In doing so, we discuss targets, goals, achievements of JNNSM and critically look at methods, available technologies for harnessing solar energy and challenges of solar waste disposal. The available technologies for harnessing solar potential restricts realization of production, distribution, consumption of solar energy leading to unsolved energy insecurity. The paper also analyzes methods of decentralized production and distribution and assesses the challenges of employing small-scale solar power plant. India is marching toward achieving several milestones; therefore, the availability of “energy for all” is cardinal not only for inclusive development but also for bringing energy justice to marginalized communities, particularly in rural India.