Solar Project in Pokhran

• 28 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy inaugurated a 1.3 GW peak power solar project at Pokhran in Jaisalmer.  

Key Points 

• About Solar Project : 
  • The project is built entirely of Made-in-India modules, with 90% of the solar modules manufactured by Jaipur-based ReNew company. 
  • Objective: The main objective of this project is to increase electricity production through solar energy and save the environment from carbon emissions. 
  • Power Generation: The project will generate around 2490 million units of electricity annually which will meet the power needs of around 5 lakh households. 
  • Reduction in Carbon Emissions: The project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.3 million tonnes , contributing to environmental protection. 
  • Geographical Location: The project is located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan and is spread over an area of about 3500 acres. The area provides suitable conditions for solar energy, which further increases the chances of success of the project. 
  • Development in the energy sector: This project will help in meeting the energy demand in the future. Also, there is a possibility of rapid development in the energy sector. 
    

 Make in India Initiative  

• Introduction:  
  • Launched in 2014, Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination. 
  • It is led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 
  • This initiative is an open invitation to potential investors and partners from across the world to participate in the growth story of 'New India'. 
• Objective: 
  • To increase the growth rate of the manufacturing sector to 12-14% per annum. 
  • To create 100 million additional manufacturing jobs by 2022 (revised date 2025). 
  • To increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP to 25% by the year 2025 . 

Solar Energy  

• Introduction:  
  • This is the energy that comes from the sun. It is a renewable and pollution-free energy source, one of the most abundant and sustainable energy sources available on Earth.  
  • Solar energy is used mainly in two ways: 
    • Solar Thermal Energy: In this, energy is produced by converting the sun's rays into heat. This energy is used to prepare hot water, control temperature or in industries. 
    • Solar Photovoltaic Energy: In this, sunlight is directly converted into electrical energy using solar panels (photovoltaic cells). This energy is used to supply electricity to homes, industries and other areas. 
• Advantages of solar energy: 
  • It is a renewable energy, meaning it is always available. 
  • Environmental impact is low as it does not cause pollution. 
  • It is a sustainable source that provides energy for a long time. 
  • Serves as a solution to the energy crisis, especially in remote areas where power supply is limited.