Need for Better Green Technologies

Why in the News?

1. As countries face land constraints, rising CO₂ levels, and geopolitical conflicts, the push for energy self-sufficiency and climate commitments is intensifying.
2. While silicon photovoltaics remain the dominant solar technology, their efficiency and land use demands raise concerns in the face of global energy needs.
3. There is increasing global interest in next-generation green technologies such as artificial photosynthesis, RFNBO, and more efficient photovoltaic systems to enable deeper decarbonisation.

Key Highlights

1. Dominance and Limitations of Silicon Photovoltaics
   1. Invented in 1954 at Bell Labs, silicon solar panels became the mainstream solar technology.
   2. These panels typically have efficiencies of 18–21% (reported) and 15–18% in-field.
   3. Around 80% of global supply comes from China; India’s production is about 6 GW and growing.
   4. Despite their widespread use, newer technologies now offer double the efficiency.
2. Efficiency vs. Land Use
   1. Lower-efficiency panels like silicon need more land area to produce the same electricity.
   2. With urbanisation and environmental concerns rising, land availability is reducing.
   3. Doubling the panel’s efficiency reduces the land required by half, making higher-efficiency systems critical.
3. Impact on Green Hydrogen and Derivatives
   1. Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity (via electrolysis) to split water molecules.
   2. Silicon PV’s lower efficiency impacts the greenness and cost of hydrogen.
   3. Storage and transport of hydrogen is energy-intensive due to its low density.
   4. Green hydrogen is often converted into green ammonia (NH₃) and green methanol (CH₃OH) for easier handling, but this requires more energy and reduces overall efficiency.
4. Emerging Alternatives: Artificial Photosynthesis and RFNBO
   1. Artificial Photosynthesis (APS) mimics natural photosynthesis to produce fuels using sunlight, CO₂, and water.
   2. Though in the early lab stages, APS could revolutionise energy generation.
   3. RFNBOs (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) are being developed in Europe using non-biomass renewable sources, avoiding the limitations of biofuels.
5. Energy Security and Policy Direction
   1. India imports ~85% of its energy needs, making energy independence
   2. Investing in R&D, innovation, and diversified energy tech is vital to reduce long-term costs.
   3. The government should prioritize smarter, more efficient, and future-ready technologies over merely scaling current ones.

Implications

1. Strategic Importance of Solar Innovation
   1. Future solar choices will shape not just electricity output, but the entire clean fuel value chain.
   2. Upgrading from silicon to high-efficiency photovoltaics can transform land use efficiency.
2. Climate Change Mitigation
   1. The rising atmospheric CO₂ levels (from 350 ppm in 1990 to 425 ppm in 2025) suggest current strategies are insufficient.
   2. Better green technologies can accelerate decarbonisation and help nations meet net-zero targets.
3. Economic Cost and Opportunity
   1. Investing in better technologies can save crores in future environmental damage and economic loss.
   2. High upfront R&D costs are justified by long-term sustainability and energy cost reduction.
4. Global Energy Equity
   1. Efficient, low-footprint technologies can help developing nations adopt renewables without major land or infrastructure constraints.
   2. It could reduce the technology dependency on a few suppliers, like China, for silicon PV.
5. Technological Leadership and Self-Reliance
   1. Countries investing in cutting-edge technologies like APS or RFNBOs will become leaders in the green economy.
   2. India must seize this opportunity to become energy self-reliant and globally competitive in clean tech.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

As the world moves toward a low-carbon future, relying only on existing technologies like silicon photovoltaics will not suffice. There is an urgent need to invest in smarter, more efficient, and diverse green technologies to address energy demands, land constraints, and climate goals. Innovations like artificial photosynthesis and RFNBOs offer promising pathways to transform the global energy landscape sustainably and equitably. The sooner nations act, the better prepared they will be for a resilient, self-sufficient, and clean energy future.