Model Question and Answers for APSC | The solar power sector is not only leading the mitigation efforts against climate change, but the innovations in solar power can also accelerate the adaptation of agriculture to a new reality of changed climate. Discus....
The solar power sector is not only leading the mitigation efforts against climate change, but the innovations in solar power can also accelerate the adaptation of agriculture to a new reality of changed climate. Discuss. Adaptation and mitigation techniques are two methods for addressing the issue of climate change. While mitigation seeks to prevent global warming, adaptation attempts to mitigate its unavoidable effects, such as in agriculture. Both have been proven to benefit from solar power.
Bhadra IAS Academy 
Ans: Effect of solar energy on climate change mitigation:
- Solar energy aids in decreasing reliance on coal and fossil fuels for energy demands by reducing the emission intensity of economic growth and development. For instance, the significant increase in solar energy production in China and India.
- The price of solar energy and its components, such as solar panels, has become According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy is now the least expensive form of electricity (World Energy Outlook 2020).
- Solar energy facilitates the move to green energy by transforming carbon-intensive operations. For example, green hydrogen, sun fertiliser etc.
- Through worldwide cooperation, initiatives such as International Solar Alliance and One-Sun-One-World-One-Grid are helping to expand the use of solar energy.
Innovations in solar energy's contribution to agricultural climate change adaptation:
- Agriculture will become costly as the need for irrigation increases. Solar water pumps can replace diesel and electric pumps, reducing the cost of irrigation through fuel and electricity savings.
- Solar-powered modular solutions enable precision agriculture on small farms, such as solar-powered hybrid radio-frequency devices for pesticide spraying and seed planting.
- Active and passive solar drying technologies enable the integration of post-harvest operations at the farm gate, thereby enhancing the economic viability of agriculture.
- Adoption of solar greenhouses can increase yield stability in the face of climatic and weather variables such as untimely rain, thunderstorms, and sunburn.
- In rural and off-grid places, solar-powered cold storage can reduce food waste and strengthen the food processing industry's supply chain.
Solar power has benefits in terms of minimising climate change and being utilised in agriculture, but it also confronts obstacles such as supply chain disruptions caused by monopolies in solar panels and rare earth elements. The sun provides renewable and environmentally friendly energy. The success of agriculture's transition and adaptation to climate change will depend on well- managed national programmes. However, this cannot be an excuse to reject climate change mitigation efforts.
