Solar power - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   ICMR’s ‘Solar for healthcare’ initiative is aimed at which of the following?

a. Using sun’s rays for cancer treatment
b. Utilising sun’s rays in skin treatment
c. Provide uninterrupted electricity supply
d. Harnessing sun’s rays to artificially produce Vitamin D essential for humans
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Provide uninterrupted electricity supply

Explanation:

  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed an MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a policy research institution, to launch a new ‘Initiative on Solar for Healthcare’.
  • The collaboration will focus on providing effective health care delivery at the last mile by reducing uncertainty in critical infrastructure, particularly electricity supply via cost effective solar-based solutions.
  • Under this collaboration, on a pilot basis, ICMR will install solar systems at select PHCs in partnership with three state governments and evaluate its impact on healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
  • The aim of the collaboration is to create resilient health systems in rural India, benefitting primarily women and children.
  • In the absence of electricity, services catered by health institutions such as institutional deliveries, paediatric emergencies, and administering of vaccines get severely affected. Electricity access in health centres is also imperative as a means to facilitate communication services, tele-health applications and to retain skilled health workers.


2)   World's largest single rooftop solar power plant has been inaugurated in

a. Rajashthan
b. Punjab
c. Gujarat
d. Jammu and Kashmir
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Punjab

Explanation:

  • World's largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 Mw capacity has been inaugurated in Beas near Amritsar in Punjab.
  • Spread at a single rooftop stretch of 42 acre at Dera Baba Jaimal, the project was synchronised earlier this year.
  • The project would generate clean and green energy sufficient to power approximately 8000 homes.


3)   Which is the correct order of the states in their descending order of solar energy generation capacity?

a. Gujarat > Rajasthan > Madhya Pradesh > Tamil Nadu
b. Rajasthan > Gujarat > Madhya Pradesh > Maharashtra
c. Gujarat > Rajasthan > Maharashtra > Madhya Pradesh
d. Rajasthan > Gujarat > Maharashtra > Madhya Pradesh
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Rajasthan > Gujarat > Madhya Pradesh > Maharashtra

Explanation:
The installed capacity of solar power in India crossed the milestone of 5,000 MW. The cumulative installed capacity has reached to 5,130 MW. The state of Rajasthan stands 1st in the country with 1264 MW, followed by Gujarat (1024MW), Madhya Pradesh (679 MW), Tamil Nadu (419 MW), Maharashtra (379 MW) and Andhra Pradesh (357 MW). The Government has set the ambitious target of generating 100 GW of solar power by the year 2021-22 under the National Solar Mission.


4)   Which of the following statements is/ are correct about Jawaharlal nehru national solar power mission?

1. The Mission under the aegis of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
2. The Mission has set the target of deploying 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched on the 11th January, 2010 by the Prime Minister.
- The Mission has set the ambitious target of deploying 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022 is aimed at reducing the cost of solar power generation in the country through (i) long term policy; (ii) large scale deployment goals; (iii) aggressive R&D; and (iv) domestic production of critical raw materials, components and products, as a result to achieve grid tariff parity by 2022.
- Mission will create an enabling policy framework to achieve this objective and make India a global leader in solar energy.