Why in News? 

Santosh Sarangi Appointed Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Solar Energy Corporation of India. 

What is Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI)? 

Incorporated in 2011, SECI is the primary implementing agency of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for renewable energy projects, supporting India’s international commitments. 

About Solar Energy 

• Solar power is the energy derived from the Sun and converted into thermal or electrical energy. 

Methods of Solar Energy Conversion 

• Photovoltaic Cells (Solar Panels) 
  • Made from different semiconductor materials. 
  • These cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. 
  • Commonly used in grid-tied systems for residential or commercial electricity needs. 
• Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) Systems 
  • Use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers. 
  • These receivers convert the concentrated sunlight into heat, which is then used for generating power. 
  • Typically used in large-scale solar power plants. 

Types of Solar Photovoltaic Systems 

• Grid-tied (On-grid) System 
  • Connected to the utility grid. 
  • Allows excess power to be fed back into the grid. 
  • Advantage: Eliminates the need for energy storage. 
• Grid-tied with Battery Backup 
  • Integrates solar panels, a grid connection, and a battery. 
  • Provides battery backup during abnormal grid conditions to improve power quality. 
• Off-grid System 
  • Uses solar panels to convert sunlight into Direct Current (DC) energy. 
  • Stores this energy in batteries for use when sunlight is unavailable. 
  • Suitable for areas that do not have reliable access to the power grid.