What is Solar Power plants?
Sun is an infinite source of energy. Solar energy is a form of energy that is received from the sun in form of radiation and heat. With the help of solar power plants, solar energy is converted into electrical energy. This conversion of energies can be done either directly by the use of photovoltaic cells or indirectly by the use of concentrated solar power. The solar power plant in India consists of a lot of solar power plants/ solar power parks. These largest solar energy plant in India are located in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan etc. The National Solar Mission of India had targeted to produce 20GW power by the end of 2020. This mission was launched in the year 2010 and it has achieved its desired target by constructing a new solar plant in India. Now, this mission is extended by the Government of India to produce 100 GW power by end of 2022.
Top Five Solar Power Plants/Parks of India
Bhadla Solar Park: This solar power plant is located in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. The power generation capacity of Bhadla Solar Park is 2055 MW. It is spread over 14000 acres. Bhadla Solar Park is the biggest solar plant in India in terms of power generation. The Bhadla temperature ranges between 46 and 48 degrees centigrades. The region of this plant is sandy and dry. It is spread about 45 square kilometres. The average money spent on the plant is approximately 10,000 crore. This park is developed by multiple stakeholders such as Adani Renewable Energy Park Rajasthan, Development Company Limited, Saurya Urja Company and IL&FS Energy. The world largest solar power plant in India is Bhadla Solar Park.
Pavagada Solar Park: Pavagada Solar Park is located in Palavalli, Karnataka. The power generation capacity of this park is 2000MW. This park covers an area of 13000 acres. This park has supporting geography. This solar power park is constructed by the Karnataka Solar Park Development Corporation Limited. Karnataka state has India's largest solar park power generation capacity.
Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park: This Park is located in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The power generation capacity of Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park is 1000 MW. The area of the park is 5932 acres. This plant was built two years by Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation and Solar Energy Corporation, Andhra Pradesh Generation Corporation and New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation. The development of this park cost around 7,143 crores.
NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park: NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park is situated in Anathapuram, Andhra Pradesh. This is also known as Ananthapuram Ultra Mega Solar Park. It has a 1500 MW power generating capacity. This solar power park is spread over an area of 7924 acres. This park has two parts Anathapuram I and Anathpuram II. The former generates 1500 MW while the latter generates 500 MW power.
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Plant: This is located in the Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. It has a power generation capacity of 750 MW. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited has implemented this project.
Working of Solar Power plants
The working of solar power plants depends on the two types of solar energy technologies. These are photovoltaics and concentrating solar-thermal power.
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaics is used for the conversion of solar energy into electricity. Photovoltaics works on the photovoltaic effect principle. According to this principle when materials are exposed to light then they absorb photons and release free electrons. So photovoltaic cells or solar cells work on the principle photovoltaic effect. These cells convert solar energy into direct current electricity. Several photovoltaic cells are connected o form a solar panel or photovoltaic module. The current depends on the intensity of the sunlight. As photovoltaic cells produce DC electricity but mostly we need AC power therefore an inverter is also provided with the solar power system.
There are different types of Photovoltaic solar power systems according to their implementation.
Photovoltaic Direct Systems: These systems can fulfil the need of supply only when the Sun is shining. In this type of solar system, batteries are absent as there is no storage of the generated power. An inverter may or may not be provided which depends on the type of load
Off-Grid Systems: Off-grid systems are generally used at locations where power from the grid is not available. The solar system is not connected to the electric grid. It is made of solar panel arrays, batteries and inverter circuits.
Grid-Connected Systems: Grid-connected systems are tied with grids for excessing required power that can be accessed from the grid.
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Image: Photovoltaic solar power system
Concentrated Solar Power
In a Concentrated Solar Power system, sunlight/sun rays are concentrated on a small area with the help of lenses or mirrors over a large area. As a result, a good amount of heat is generated in the focused area. The generated heat is used to heat up the fluid which further drives the steam turbine to produce electricity. Nowadays many technologies have been introduced which are based on concentrated solar power such as solar power tower, Stirling dish, parabolic trough etc.
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Image: Concentrated Solar Power System
The List of Solar Power Plants in India
The list of solar power plants in India is given below along with their location and power generation capacity.
List of Floating Solar Power Plants in India
Floating solar power plants are power plants that used to be mounted on a floating surface such as a pond or lake. NTPC-Ramagundam project is the biggest solar plant in India which is constructed on a floating surface. The largest floating solar power plant is constructing in Ramagundam in the Peddapalli district of Telangana. It will have a power generation capacity of 100 Mega Watt. Other projects of floating solar power plants are under construction. The first floating power plant of Uttar Pradesh will be constructed on Rihand Dam. The list of floating power plants in India is given below.
Advantages of Solar Power plants
Solar energy is a renewable energy source. It is a natural clean source of energy. Solar energy does not create pollution. The other energy sources of energy will not be available forever on the other hand solar energy will last forever.
Fossil fuels are used to emit carbon dioxide in the environment when it is burned. The emission of carbon can destroying the layer of ozone. Solar thermal power plants lower carbon dioxide emissions and we will be less dependent on fossils.
Solar power projects are easy to set up anywhere in the country. Our government is developing solar farm in India where lands are barren.
Extra generated solar power can be stored in batteries and it can be used whenever is necessary.
The manufacturer of solar power systems or panels is creating jobs by employing solar panel manufacturers and solar installers, etc. In this way, it is also helpful in the development of the economy of the country. The solar power plant in India will not only provide a strong economy to the country but also make India a pollution-free country.
Did You Know?
The ranking of India in terms of solar power production is at third position in Asia and fourth in the world.
The first commercial solar power plant was built in Amritsar, Panjab which have a 2 MW solar power generation capacity.
FAQs on List of Solar Power Plants in India
1. Give the List of the Solar Power Plant in Maharashtra.
Answer: The solar power plant in Maharashtra list includes three major solar power parks. These parks are Guru Solar Park (Pragat) having a power generation capacity of 500MW, Patoda Solar Park (Paramount) has a power generation capacity of 150MW, Dondaicha Solar Park has the power of 250 MW. Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited is constructing one of its largest projects of photovoltaic solar power plants capacity of 28.8 MW in the Satara district in Maharashtra.
2. Which State Has the Largest Solar Power Park?
Answer: Karnataka state is at the top of all Indian states in solar power generation. The Pavagada Solar Park or Shakti Sthala of Karnataka is one of the largest solar power parks in India. It is located in the Tumkur district of Karnataka and is spread over 13,000-acre The production capacity of this park is approximately 2050MW. The total capacity of Karnatka for producing solar power is 7100MW which lead this state on top of solar power generation.
3. Which City is Called the First Solar City in India?
Answer: The Diu is the first Indian city that runs completely on solar energy during the daytime. Diu become the first solar city in India in September 2016. The solar power for this city comes from its two solar power parks. These parks are spread over 0.2 square kilometres. The effort to turn Diuinto into a solar city started in the year 2013 when the first of its two solar power parks were sanctioned by the Central Electricity Authority of India. Later in 2015, they became operational and the second phase by 2016. Diu is a Union Territory that means it is under the control of the Union (Central) Government which helps Diu in funding, planning and finding land for and execute the solar parks project.
