Indian solar project brings benefits for climate and local economyThe project activity involves the installation of a grid-connected 120-megawatt solar power plant located in the area north of the city of Ahmedabad within the Indian state of Gujarat. By feeding approximately 298,072 megawatt hours of electricity into the grid every year, the project saves around 275,300 tonnes of CO2 per year. Without the project, the same amount of energy would have been produced in thermal or fossil fuel-based power plants that are still the dominant electricity source in India.
Besides the positive effects on the climate, the project also creates jobs for local people and offers regular training to employees. Also, the power plant helps ease electric supply problems in the agricultural sector. So far, local farmers had to deal with regular power cuts where they had to pause their work. While the solar plant will help stabilize the local grid, it demonstrates the success of solar projects and thus promotes the further spread of solar technology in the region.
How does solar energy contribute to climate action?Although the development of renewable energy sources is increasing, energy from fossil fuels is still a significant part of energy production worldwide. This is associated with the release of large amounts of carbon emissions. The use of solar energy is a good way to provide people around the world with renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar installations, implemented through solar projects, convert sunlight into electricity (photovoltaic) or heat (solar thermal). Even when the sky is cloudy, the solar thermal power plants generate heat and convert it into electricity. Photovoltaic projects use the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight into electricity.
The energy produced is typically fed into the national or regional power grid, reducing the share of fossil fuels in the electricity mix. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, solar projects also prevent the release of various pollutants associated with conventional power generation. Solar energy projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
