Rooftop Solar Power Generation: An Opportunity to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract

Solar energy is being promoted in India as one of the main components of renewable energy as the country receives good solar radiation over 300 days a year. It has emerged as a potential green alternative to address climate change issues by reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuel-based energy. The government has taken many policy initiatives to promote solar power generation and aims to produce 100 GW of solar power by the year 2022, out of which 40 GW is planned from solar rooftops. The land requirement for solar power generation systems is large, and in urban areas, acts as a major constraint. Rooftop solar power generation systems are an option and opportunity under such circumstances. This chapter focusses on the opportunities available to adopt rooftop solar power generation in the residential sector. The constraints in adopting these systems and the factors influencing decision of the household for installation of such systems are discussed. The primary data for the study has been collected through interviews with the households and discussions with the stakeholders—policy makers, distribution companies, consultants and the households with access and ownership rights to rooftops. The secondary data analysed includes published as well as unpublished data. The analysis highlights that there are numerous opportunities available to adopt rooftop solar power generation systems. These are mainly in the form of favourable policy instruments leading to economic gains. The reduction in the energy bill is the most important factor influencing decision of the household to adopt rooftop solar power generation. The system becomes attractive if government subsidies are available. The positive recommendation from friends and family who have already installed these systems drive the final decision of the household. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint from adoption of rooftop solar power generation systems have been discussed in the chapter. The findings lead to policy recommendations to promote rooftop solar power generation and making it more attractive.