Astronomers who often threaten the world with their dire warnings of massive solar flares that may engulf the earth, have today some pleasant companions called energy analysts, who have traced a silver lining amidst the dark environmental clouds surrounding the planet.
The silver lining traces the unprecedented downward cost curve of solar power, despite the decline in petroleum prices. For the first time, solar power, hitherto considered a luxury for the well-to-do and an add-on in the Asian energy scenario has become a game changer. And the firstever challenges posed by the massive solar wave need to address technological as well as institutional and policy aspects.
The price of a solar panel per watt in 1975 was around one US dollar and the worldwide installation of solar panels totalled just 2 mega watts (MW). From 2005, a dramatic upturn of production began, accompanied by a steep fall in price, set to hit just six US....
