SOLAR-ENERGY IN WESTERN RAJASTHAN

This article reviews the state-of-the-art for generating electricity f rom solar energy, through the photovoltaic and thermal routes. On the whole, India has made significant efforts for the successful utilizati on of solar energy. A large number of kilowatt scale PV power packs an d systems for a variety of applications have been installed. Successfu l attempts have also been made to integrate a few PV systems with the grid. As regards the thermal route, the experience of generating elect ricity has been limited. However, ambitious plans are afoot for settin g up a few large power plants in western Rajasthan where the condition s are most appropriate for the utilization of solar energy.