In Short : Solar power has the potential to drive India’s shift away from coal, thanks to falling costs, abundant resources, and strong policy support. However, challenges like energy storage, grid reliability, and coal’s entrenched role remain. To fully replace coal, India must invest in battery storage, upgrade infrastructure, and implement long-term policy reforms supporting clean, round-the-clock energy.
In Detail : Solar power holds strong potential to help India transition away from coal-based energy. With solar tariffs reaching historic lows, it has become one of the most cost-effective energy sources in the country. India’s vast solar potential, estimated at over 10,000 GW, provides ample opportunity to meet growing power demands through clean sources.
Government initiatives are also encouraging this shift. Programs like the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, Production-Linked Incentive schemes for domestic manufacturing, and the One Sun One World One Grid initiative are actively pushing solar adoption. These policies aim to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Despite this progress, several challenges slow the transition. The intermittent nature of solar power requires robust storage solutions to ensure round-the-clock supply. Without large-scale battery or pumped hydro storage, coal remains a fallback for grid stability, especially during peak evening hours and monsoons.
India’s power infrastructure also presents hurdles. The national grid needs significant upgrades to handle high volumes of variable solar input. Transmission lines, load balancing systems, and advanced grid management tools must evolve to support this transformation effectively.
Coal’s dominance is reinforced by institutional and financial ties. State-run utilities and industries rely heavily on coal, and subsidies further entrench its role. Moreover, sectors like cement and steel need uninterrupted power, which current solar setups cannot yet reliably provide without hybrid systems.
To enable a meaningful shift, India must invest in energy storage, phase out outdated coal plants, and introduce market reforms. While solar power is capable of leading the clean energy transition, a comprehensive ecosystem—including policy, infrastructure, and innovation—is essential for coal to lose its grip on India’s power sector.
