Solar photo voltaic power generation in union territory of Lakshadweep Island: Projected level dissemination using technology diffusion models

Abstract

Lakshadweep Island is one of the union territory of India. The main source of electricity in Lakshadweep Island is diesel generators, the diesel being transported from the main land. Due to high energy costs, the islands are proving to be excellent test beds for the introduction of new technologies, and becoming so-called renewable energy islands to satisfy their energy demand mainly from indigenous and renewable energy sources. With its fragile locations, geographical and environmental limitations it is desirable to explore possible strategies to utilize maximum available potential of non-polluting renewable energy sources for this ecologically sensitive island. This paper examines the penetration of renewable energy sources in general and dissemination of solar photo voltaic (SPV) based power generation of electricity in particular for balance solution to the energy problems of Lakshadweep Island using technology diffusion models. It was found that with different diffusion models, the future time frame of SPV based power generation is likely to reach its maximum estimated potential in another 40 years.