Discontinuities in the Trajectory of Solar Photovoltaic (spv) Technology Development in India

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to understand different phases of solar photovoltaic (SPV) technology in India and the interplay of scientific, technological, economic, and political factors in each of the phases. There are four distinct phases. In the first-phase , SPV technology was recognized as an important source of energy for countries like India. In the second phase (1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990), the oil crisis led to the formulation of new scientific and technological initiatives and programs in SPV, but due to a lack of political commitment the initiatives disintegrated. In the third phase (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003), several factors seemed to have undermined the development of SPV sector. Currently in the fourth phase (2003 to the present), India has virtually lost the race for development of photovoltaic technology. Within the context of climate change and resource constraint, India has reformulated its strategy which has taken the form of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission Plan (JNNSM).This paper examines how JNNSM influences indigenous attempts in photovoltaic technology development. The paper shows how scientific, technological, economic and political factors have contributed to discontinuities in the development of the technology. 302Devaraj and Haribabu

Experience and Familiarity’s Role in the Diffusion of Photovoltaic Technologies

“…• Solar Lighting (Sastry 1997, Devraj andHaribabu 2015) • Water heating (Peter and Nayar 2002) • Telecommunications (Adurodija, Asia and Chendo 1998;Chaurey and Kandpal2010) • Power generation during peak loads (Koner & Dutta 1998;Deng and Liu 2012) • Captive power generation (Sastry 1997, Devraj andHaribabu 2015) • Remote area applications (Bugaje 1999;Chaurey and Kandpal 2010) • Water Pumping (Sastry 1997;Devraj and Haribabu 2015)…”

“…• Solar Lighting (Sastry 1997;Devraj and Haribabu 2015) • Water heating (Peter and Nayar 2002) • Telecommunications (Adurodija et al 1998;Chaurey and Kandpal 2010) • Power generation during peak loads (Koner & Dutta 1998;Deng and Liu 2012) • Captive power generation (Sastry 1997;Devraj and Haribabu 2015) • Remote area applications (Bugaje 1999;Chaurey and Kandpal 2010) • Water Pumping (Sastry 1997;Adurodija et al 1998;Devraj and Haribabu 2015) Five more items FAM8 to FAM12 use a Likert type scale from 1 = Not Comfortable to 7 = Very Comfortable as the end points. These variables assess the degree of comfort expressed by the respondents toward each of the following statements:…”