Innovative Solutions And Cost-Effective Measures Needed To Boost Solar Adaption

High installation costs remain a major barrier for going about solar adoption. Given this perhaps incentives in one form or the other can hold the key if solar adoption in the country is to be made faster. Interestingly, awareness about the benefits of solar power and availability of solar solutions are no longer problems or issues. A recent study by ‘Solar spectrum of New India’ drives home these points. Almost 52 per cent of respondents said that they are open to switching to solar power if incentivised with easy financing or loan solutions. A recent report by Luminous Power Technologies indicates that a majority of the people are aware of the benefits of solar solutions but find the installation cost as a major barrier towards solar adoption. The report reveals that availability of solar solutions and technologies is less of a challenge to customers, as over 76 per cent Indians agreed that solar energy solutions are easily accessible. However, the price sensitive population finds cost as a major challenge in adopting rooftop solar, an opinion shared by 92 per cent of those surveyed. With regard to tier 1 and 2 cities, Jaipur and Bengaluru are the most adaptive cities when it comes to installing solar rooftop systems.

In fact, Jaipur takes the lead in terms of knowledge and awareness, with 79.71 per cent affirmative respondents and Hyderabad being the lowest with 6.58 per cent respondents. Respondents from Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Bengaluru strongly believe that installation of solar solutions such as rooftop panels needs specialized skills. In Ahmedabad, 40 per cent of respondents believed that there is limited availability of specialized training programs for solar energy, while 63.3 per cent felt that there is a lack of awareness about career opportunities in the sector. Meanwhile, 26.99 per cent of respondents in Chandigarh highlighted the lack of company-driven initiatives to promote training in this domain as a significant issue. The Solar Spectrum of New India study has provided invaluable insights into the growing interest in solar energy across multiple cities in India.

It not only helps one understand the barriers at the national level, but also identifies key trends in different regions, including tier 1 and 2 cities, beyond metros. It is promising to see that key cities like Jaipur and Bangalore are leading the way in terms of awareness and adoption. Of course, there are challenges as well, particularly around the availability of skilled labour and the perception of high installation costs. As we move forward, it's clear that creating awareness about financial schemes and building specialised training programmes will play a pivotal role in overcoming these hurdles. At the end the day, it has to be ensured that every Indian household has the opportunity to benefit from solar energy, and all stakeholders will have to work closely to drive the development of skills and knowledge in this sector. There is no doubt whatsoever that addressing these barriers is going to be crucial in accelerating the transition to clean energy. All key players will have to remain committed to developing innovative solutions that make solar power more accessible and affordable for all.