Importance of making the Switch to Green Energy

January 18, 2022

“The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person”

-Mahatma Gandhi
Our planet has an abundance of resources but we are guilty of using them unsustainably. We exist in a world that largely relies on fossil fuels to power homes and industries. With each passing year, we are consuming more of these finite energy sources to meet practically infinite power needs. With air pollution and climate change making headlines every day, the consequences are hard to ignore.
However, governments, corporations, institutions, and even individuals are waking up to the need for making sustainable choices. Using clean, renewable energy sources like solar energy is a major step in this direction. India, too, is optimistic about shaping a new green economy, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070.

What is Green Energy?

Green energy comes from resources that are present in nature abundantly with no expiration date. As they replenish on their own through natural cycles, they are abundant. They also don’t pollute the environment when used. Renewable sources are clean energy forms as they release little to no greenhouse gases when harnessed. These are sunlight, wind, tides, rain, biomass, waves and geothermal energy (produced inside the earth).

Renewable resources are more viable than non-renewable energy sources as they exist in abundance and can be put to multiple uses. They are virtually inexhaustible and available nearly everywhere. However, not all renewables are green in the sense that they cause some impact on the environment. For example, biomass and hydroelectric dams are known to affect wildlife, land use, and climate.

The Importance of Green Energy

Renewable energy sources like solar power can transform the power sector and our lives for the better. The air quality is degrading by the day, forcing us to breathe in polluted air. In cities like New Delhi, the government is seen taking desperate measures like temporarily shutting down five coal-fired power plants to tackle air pollution, deregistering all diesel vehicles older than 10 years. Serious health problems like asthma, lung cancer, heart attacks, and early death are on the rise due to breathing in polluted air.

Transitioning to a non-combustible energy system based on renewables or solar energy can drastically improve air quality by limiting greenhouse gas emissions directly into the air.

In addition to health advantages, using renewable sources like solar power is also favourable for the economy. India currently imports crude oil and LNG in large quantities. Energy obtained from renewable sources can replace fossil fuels, increase self-reliance (atmanirbharta), and bring huge savings in electricity. For the commercial and industrial sector, they can benefit by reducing their operational costs as power/energy bill contributes to most of them.

In the process, the country will also generate more job opportunities. Current trends show that energy produced from renewable sources will eventually be more in the total energy mix of our economy. It has already become more cost-competitive than the energy obtained from fossil fuels.

Advantages of Switching to Green Energy – for the economy as a whole

Accessible to All

Over the past decade, the cost of solar energy equipments like PV modules, inverters, etc. has declined significantly. Although it is still not the lowest-cost source of energy in India, the government is introducing new schemes to make solar technology accessible to all. As cheap electricity reaches remote, rural areas, people will get access to modern facilities, which will contribute to their overall development.

More Jobs and Economic Benefits

Building and maintaining renewable energy systems require material and workmanship. This expenditure also constitutes a significant part of the total solar project costs. Moreover, this investment is often spent locally in the same region where the solar power plant is established. It also requires some manpower to keep the solar power systems running with routine maintenance which is necessary for smooth functioning. The energy bills that the citizens pay stays in the same region and create jobs for them, thereby improving the local economy.

Stable Energy Prices

There is an element of unpredictability when it comes to fossil fuel-fired energy as we depend on imported coal for power generation plants. A sudden increase in coal and crude oil prices can result from unexpected geopolitical factors. The energy crisis unfolding as the economies recover is a recent case in point. However, renewable sources are available locally in large quantities and are less likely to be affected by any geopolitical upheaval, resulting in guaranteed savings on energy costs and availability of power for whole economy.

Improved Public Health

Nearly all our infrastructure, from transportation to industrial operations to power generation, aggravates the air pollution levels. The use of charcoal and fuelwood as a source of energy is still common for heating and cooking in many parts of India. All these activities take a toll on our health as we inhale harmful toxins and particles along with oxygen. As a result, governments are forced to spend more on medical facilities. To that end, switching to solar and other renewable sources of energy can really turn things around in the long run.

Advantages of Switching to Green Energy – for the Planet

Less Global Warming

Burning fossil fuels to generate energy releases large amounts of greenhouse gases into the air. Increasing levels of CO2 in the ambient atmosphere is the main driver of global warming. CO2 or carbon emissions trap sun’s radiation that causes the rise in temperature. As air travels to other areas carrying soot particles, it also pollutes soil and water bodies and impacts the diversity of ecosystems. Most renewable energy sources cause little to no impact on the environment.

Inexhaustible

Conventional resources are limited in quantity and can take thousands of years or more to replenish themselves. Unsustainable use of these resources can lead to their depletion, leaving future generations with no source of energy. On the other hand, clean energy sources like the sun and wind are infinite and renewable as they adapt to natural cycles. As a result, renewable energy systems facilitate economic development for today and the generations to come.

India’s applaudable solar achievements tell us that the country is moving toward a clean and green energy economy. In just the last five years, it has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest country in terms of total installed solar power capacity. The country is home to some of the worlds’ largest solar power plants.

The time is right for businesses, industries, and even homeowners to make the switch to solar energy. To that end, Amplus Solar is here to ensure a smooth and profitable transition. We customize solar solutions for all of your energy needs. Our on-site rooftop solar systems and ground-mounted solar panels are installed to deliver decades of performance. We also install small- and large-scale solar farms as off-site solar solutions for those who don’t have land in their premises.