Rooftop Solar Solutions: How Can It Be A Boon To The Textile Industry In India?
The textile sector is one of the key pillars of the Indian economy. The sector has witnessed a steady market enhancement over the past few years and has become one of the largest in the world. Within manufacturing, the textile industry in India accounts for approximately 24 percent of the spindle capacity of the world. It employs about 45 million people directly and 20 million people indirectly.
What makes the sector an excellent candidate for solar energy?
The traditional textile manufacturing process has a long history of transforming natural fibres into practical items such as fabric, home textiles, and clothes, through the employment of unique finishing processes. Textile and apparel manufacturing is one of the most complicated and highest energy-consuming sectors in the country. It employs a significant number and variety of complex technical processes that cover steps ranging from treatment of raw materials through garment stitching, fabric embossing, and composite production.
The entire production cycle, from raw materials and intermediate products, to the production of the final products, generally uses a substantial amount of electricity. Apart from high energy consumption, the sector operates all days of the year, paying a power tariff of roughly Rs 7-8 per unit. This makes the sector a direct contender in dire need of cost-effective solutions and uninterrupted sources of energy.
Applications of Solar Energy in the Textile Industry
There are a wide variety of applications where solar energy can be used in the textile industry.
- Dying
- Bleaching
- Drying
- Steam pressing
- Curing
What potential does solar energy have in the textile industry?
Switching to solar energy in the textile sector makes perfect sense because it is such a large industry with such high energy consumption. The textile industry accounts for roughly 14% of overall industrial production. This sector is one of the largest consumers of energy in the economy, accounting for about 25% of the total energy consumed in the industrial sector. Therefore, it’s not surprising that such a significant industry would reap high benefits if it transitions to solar.
Pros of Solar for Textile Industry
Solar energy in the textile industry has the potential to save roughly Rs 770 crores per year. A total saving worth Rs 13,940 per annum has been identified in the sector if solar panels are erected above looms to create apparel.
For lowering electricity costs and improving supply, a number of factors may influence the decision to go with captive solar or rooftop solar. One of the most important is the one-time, high-yield, long-term investment. Textile industries, as previously said, may accommodate 1-5 MW on their premises. As a result, the ability to invest in solar energy determines whether captive solar or a rooftop solar plant is the best option.
Following are the benefits of on-site rooftop solar power generation to the textile industry, people in the locality and the environment –
1. The textile industry operates all year, and energy demand is always in excess of 1 MW. The textile sector in India pays a flat rate of Rs. 5- 6.35 per unit for energy charges, which rises to Rs. 6 to 7.46 per unit with applicable duty. As a result, as long as the cost of solar energy remains lower than the utility rate, it will remain a viable option for these companies.
2. In India, the average textile business has enough area to host a rooftop solar plant or a ground-mounted solar plant with a capacity of 1-5 MW. As a result of this scale, the cost of solar energy is in the range of Rs.5.45-5.64 per unit, allowing for significant cost savings.
3. At various stages of the process, textile manufacturing necessitates a large amount of hot water in the range of 40–110°C. Solar energy may readily be used to generate the required heat. Solar heating methods will result in a total savings of 383 ktoe each year. Solar energy applications in the textile industry have the potential to save Rs. 770 crore per year. According to PGCIL, the sector has a total savings potential of Rs. 13940 per annum.
4. Most textile factories feature large areas of un-shaded roof space and wide swaths of undeveloped land. When it comes to energy savings and carbon reduction, installing solar plants in these underused areas is a very simple undertaking.
5. Lastly, by adopting this initiative, the textile sector can immensely contribute to the sustainability quotient of the country.
Cons of Solar for Textile Industry
The sector can play a critical role in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the country’s clean energy goals. However, rooftop solar application uptake and growth in India’s textile sector has yet to pick off. Here is why most textile owners are sceptical about opting for captive or rooftop solar plants –
1. The textile business requires a significant amount of capital. For them, additional investment in rooftop solar energy plants may appear to be a hardship. Although banks give 70% debt to lower capital costs, the remaining 30% equity still amounts to a few crores for a 1 MW solar facility. Furthermore, the owner/industry is solely responsible for the upkeep of rooftop power plants.
2. The level of awareness and understanding about rooftop solar technology is quite low. Because of the anticipated performance hazards, many high-power-consuming manufacturers are unwilling to install rooftop solar.
The Road Ahead
Let’s take a look at a paper presented by Technopak Advisors to get a better idea of the future possibilities of solar in the textile sector. According to this estimate, India’s textile industry accounts for around a quarter of the world’s spindle capacity. It also reflects the fact that our country has 8% of the global rotor capacity. According to the report, the potential size of the Indian textile and apparel industries is forecasted to reach USD 223 billion by 2021.
Conclusion
The textile industry can benefit immensely by the deployment of solar projects. Going by the occurrences in the past few years, the Indian textile market has shown significant growth in consumption, and it is estimated to continue in the future. Given this growing trend, solar is surely going to be an integral part of the textile industry. The journey has begun and it will soon pave the way for sustainable growth and long-term success.