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Conventional power plants suffer from issues like fuel scarcity, availability of site and other environmental concerns. Alternate technologies based on renewable energy sources especially solar, wind and bio-mass are utilised to overcome these problems. Among many options available in solar technology, power generation through CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) could be the most promising one for India in the coming future. In this paper, a brief overview on various CSP technologies and site selection criteria has been outlined. Subsequently, the design considerations for the four major CSP technologies i.e. solar tower, parabolic trough, linear fresnel reflector, and parabolic dish are discussed. Finally, the present status and key issues related to the deployment of CSP based technologies in India are summarised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decade before conversion of solar energy into electricity was quite expensive compare with other renewable energy or conventional fossil fired generated power. For making solar energy as a main stream source of power generation Indian government has taken several initiatives in last 5–6 years. Presently, the deployment of the solar power project in India is governed by both central and state government under the various schemes. These schemes are mainly includes, Feed-in-Tariff (FiT), Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), long term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), Accelerated Depreciation (AD) benefit and reverse bidding/auctions etc. As an effect of this competitive market environment, the tariff of solar power has come down from INR 17 or US $ 0.27 1 1 In year 2010, US $ 1=INR 45. (year 2010) to less than INR 6 or US $ 0.092 2 2 In year 2015, US $ 1=INR 65. (year 2015). This decremented solar tariff may achieve grid parity soon but also has raised the question of sustainability of the solar power project as well. Additionally, this multi-policy environment of both central and state government has created lots of confusion among the solar power project developers to select scheme and make their investment viable as per other power generation business. This paper summarizes various schemes under the current policy framework in terms of viability of the solar power projects in India. It also includes issues related with the sustainability of the solar power project taken under the competitive bidding process with remarkable lowered tariff than benchmarked tariff (ceiling price)in India (i.e. INR 7 or US $ 0.107). This study will help project developers and other stakeholders to understand the issues related with viability of the project in current multi-policy environment for better planning before investing in the field of solar Power business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are two ways by which solar energy can be harnessed viz. solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). This paper focuses on the parameters required for the commissioning of solar power plants in India using these technologies. The key parameters have been identified through the literature review and discussion with the experts. The parameters thus obtained, are classified under PV and CSP technologies and then categorized into technical and economical parameters. A survey is conducted to understand the perceptions of Indian key players in the area of solar energy and to rank forty one identified parameters. Analysis of survey shows that location of the site and direct investment cost are the highest preferred technical and economical parameters respectively. The results of this study will help decision makers and policy makers of solar technologies in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present day India has tremendous energy requirements, and with each day it is becoming more difficult to meet those needs through conventional power sources. The never-ending demand of population which is growing exponentially has become very tough to fulfill. To enhance its energy security, mitigate carbon emissions and augment its economic development, it becomes an urgent need to implement innovative policies and mechanisms for the adoption of green and clean energy. India because of its demographics has good solar energy potential. This study aims to examine the solar power implementations in thermal power plants situated all across India. This paper contributes to the literature on solar power by identification of barriers for the adoption of solar power in thermal plants. Still, there is some lack of study about solar power implementations in different areas. In this paper, investigating efforts have been made to examine the solar power implementations in thermal power plants within the Indian context by identifying key barriers. In this study, Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) has been adopted to find the contextual relationships among key barriers and Matriced'Impacts Croises- Multiplication Applique' an Classment (MICMAC) analysis has been carried out for validation of the model. Requirement of gigantic investment, longer recovery period, safety implications, environmental implications, and societal concerns emerge at the top level in ISM structure. Lack of adequate government policies and lack of political leadership appears at the bottom of a structured model and these emerged as the most influential barriers. This research also suggested how to mitigate the key barriers by the installation of solar power in electricity generation utilities. • Identify and evaluate nineteen barriers which influence the development of solar power in Indian thermal power sector. • Establish ISM hierarchy structure to show the contextual relationships among the barriers. • MICMAC technique is conceded for validation of the established ISM model. • Suggestions are proposed to mitigate the key barriers for the development of solar power in electricity generation utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]