The document discusses solar energy potential and usage in India. It notes that India receives good solar radiation between 4-7 kWh/sq. m/day, with Rajasthan receiving the highest amounts at 6-7 kWh/sq. m/day. Gujarat receives the second highest solar radiation levels at 5.5-6 kWh/sq. m/day. The document also highlights that Gujarat has commissioned Asia's largest solar park and that Jharkhand has good solar potential between 4.5-5.5 kWh/sq. m/day.

1. Md. I. A. Ansari
Department of Agricultural Engineering
BAU, Ranchi
(e-mail: irfan26200@yahoo.com)

5. • Solar energy is the energy of the future as it is practically
inexhaustible and it is green and clean source of energy.
• There are about 300 clear sunny days in a year in most
parts of the country.
• Most parts of India receive good solar radiation 4- 7
kWh/sq. m/day
• The average isolation incident over India is about 5.5
kWh / sq. meter/day over a horizontal surface.
• Rajasthan, the largest state in India receives maximum
solar radiation intensity in India.
• Rajasthan has more than 325 sunny days in a year with
solar radiation of about 6-7Kwh/sq-m/day.
• Gujarat receives second largest amount of solar
radiation in India.
• Gujarat receives 5.5 to 6 Kwh/sq.m/day with 300 sunny
days/year.

6. • The amount of solar energy impacting the
surface of earth is 1000 watts per square
meter, which is about 32.8 million MW
every second on the Indian land mass.
• Gujarat is a leader in solar power
generation in the country.
• The State of Gujarat has commissioned
Asia’s largest solar park at Charanka
village for power generation.

7. • The State of Jharkhand is endowed with
high solar radiation with around 300 days of
clear sun.
• The state offers good sites having potential
of more than 4.5 to 5.5 kwh/m2
/day solar
insolation which is enough for installation of
solar based power projects and other
activities.
Annual Average value of Solar Irradiation in
Ranchi : 4.78 (kWh/m2
/day)
The Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency
(JREDA) has been appointed as the nodal agency to
implement the policy that aims at taping solar power
potential in the state.

8. Solar Map

9. Solar Energy conversion
1. Solar energy into electricity (Direct)
2. Solar energy into heat energy (Indirect)

10. Suggested Books

17. e-Courses Developed IASRI
URL: http://ecourses.iasri.res.in/

18. http://agridr.in/tnauEAgri/

19. Related Journals

25. Related Ministry/R&D
Institutes/Organizations

26. • Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

37. Tata Energy Research Institute