Kolkata, Jul 18 (KNN)  CESC Limited that supplies electricity in and around this state now plans to procure energy from alternative sources of energy such as solar power plants located in West Bengal or elsewhere in the country.

A distribution licensee under the Electricity Act of 2003, CESC (Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation) has now invited bids from developers from within the state or outside to supply solar energy from sources other than roof-top solar plants.

Among the various renewable energy resources, solar energy potential is the highest in the country. In most parts of India, clear sunny weather is experienced 250 to 300 days a year. The annual radiation varies from 1600 to 2200 kWh/m2, which is comparable with radiation received in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The equivalent energy potential is about 6,000 million GWh of energy per year.

Solar energy, therefore, has great potential as future energy source. It also has the advantage of permitting the decentralized distribution of energy, thereby empowering people at the grassroots level.

With the objective to establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible Government of India launched National Solar Mission.

According to the Solar Energy Society of India, renewable energy (RE) is now making a noticeable impact especially in the lives of rural masses. Simultaneously though, its use for urban and semi-urban applications is also growing by the day.

The Indian RE programme was amongst the first few such programmes to shape up globally. Since then, it has assumed respectable market leadership position in a few areas mores o in wind energy and solar energy.

Solar Energy products like solar panels are now widely being used in India and other parts of the world.  (KNN)